As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s important to recognize trailblazing women who have made significant impacts in their fields. One such woman is Martha Sharp Joukowsky, a key figure in archaeology who played a vital role in shaping the study of archaeology at Brown University, inspiring many students, faculty, and colleagues, as well as almost everyone who came into contact with her throughout her long career.

Brown University’s Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World is named for Martha Sharp Joukowsky and her husband, Artemis A.W. Joukowsky. In 2004, both Joukowskys made it possible for Brown to establish an institute for archaeology, through a substantial donation for that purpose. That institute was subsequently renamed in their honor, to recognize not only their generosity but also both Joukowskys’ significant contributions to Brown and to the discipline of archaeology.

Martha Joukowsky’s academic journey began at Brown, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1958. She continued her education at the American University of Beirut, obtaining her Master’s degree in 1972, followed by a PhD from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne in 1982. Her dissertation focused on the prehistory of Western Anatolia and was published as the two-volume work, Prehistoric Aphrodisias, in 1996.

After completing her doctorate, Joukowsky returned to Brown as a faculty member in 1982, where she taught until her retirement in 2002. Joukowsky was dedicated to training future archaeologists through her archaeological fieldwork and as a professor. Former student and current Professor Laurel Bestock fondly remembers Joukowsky from Bestock’s undergraduate days, referring to Joukowsky as an advisor, professor, and, most importantly, a mentor. “She took me seriously from the very beginning. She truly was a force of nature.”

During her time at Brown, Joukowsky conducted fieldwork in Turkey, Italy, Greece, and Jordan, notably excavating the Great Temple at Petra, in Jordan. She also served as President of the Archaeological Institute of America from 1989 to 1993 and founded the AIA’s Near East Archaeology Committee, now known as the Near East Interest Group.

Though Martha Joukowsky passed away in 2022, her legacy continues through the institute that bears her name, along with the artifacts from her excavations that are displayed in Rhode Island Hall. Her contributions continue to inspire countless individuals at Brown and in the world of archaeology.

To learn more about Martha Sharp Joukowsky and her work, explore the following:

1. Petra: The Great Temple Excavation from the Joukowsky Institute of Archaeology at Brown University
2. Martha Sharp Joukowsky’s Wikipedia Page
3. Reconstructing Petra from Smithsonian Magazine, June 2007
4. Memorials for Martha Sharp Joukowsky from the New York Times, the Brown Daily Herald, and the Archaeological Institute of America 
5. “Martha Sharp Joukowsky: Leading by Example and Inspiring a Generation of Female Archaeologists,” a panel discussion held at Brown University on September 23, 2022.
6. Martha Sharp Joukowsky on Research Gate
7. Martha Sharp Joukowsky on People Pill
8. Cohen, G. & M.S. Joukowsky. (ed.) 2004. Breaking Ground: Pioneering Women Archaeologists. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
9. Joukowsky, M.S. 1980. A Complete Manual of Field Archaeology: Tools and Techniques of Field Work for Archaeologists. Englewood Cliffs (NJ): Prentice-Hall.
10. Joukowsky, M.S. 1988. The Young Archaeologist in the Oldest Port City in the World. Beirut: Dar el-Machreq.
11. Joukowsky, M.S. 1996a. Early Turkey: An Introduction to the Archaeology of Anatolia from Prehistory Through the Lydian Period. Dubuque (IA): Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co.
12. Joukowsky, M.S. 1996b. Prehistoric Aphrodisias: An Account of the Excavations and Artifact Studies. Providence (RI): Brown University, Center for Old World Archaeology and Art.
13. Joukowsky, M.S. 1998. Petra Great Temple: Brown University Excavations, 1993-1997. Providence (RI): Brown University Petra Exploration Fund.

The following is an excerpt from an article published by the National Park Service. A link to the complete article will be listed at the bottom.

Women furthered archeology in many ways. Among them, women discovered niche areas of expertise and made themselves indispensable. They advanced research in ethnography, ethnology, linguistics, and other interdisciplinary work that complemented archeological studies. They dug, sure, but they also did the collections work — where the real slog begins. And women were often the reason why excavation notes were preserved, or reports typed to capture the results. Oftentimes, it was women’s work that assembled the figurative or literal pieces that revealed a new perspective on past life.When women became archeologists, they forever changed the field despite facing sexism and discrimination. Be it trailblazing a path for other women, developing new methods, or providing mentorship and support, women archeologists resisted being put in any one place.

Bertha Dutton

Frederica de Laguna

The following is a condensed version of an article written by Emily M. Long for Women in Archaeology. A link to the full article will be provided at the bottom.

Since women make up half of the population, it’s important to think about how women contributed to civilization throughout history. Otherwise, as archaeologists, we would only get half of the picture. In the past, we just assumed women didn’t play as much as a role as men, but you know what they say about ‘assume’ and I doubt anyone wants to be an ‘ass.’ Feminist thought provided, and still does, a way to give us a bigger picture on the past and way to fight our assumptions of the past. Gender archaeology includes feminist thought, giving archaeologists a way to look at how past people may have created specific roles for each other; it gives a way to see how people may have been marginalized or treated as less important. Again, it’s all about making sure we give everyone in the past an equal voice.

Consequently, feminist and gender archaeology:

1. Offers a means to review how archaeology has been conducted (i.e. find biases, the voices that have been ignored, etc)
2. Provides a method to study women and other marginalized groups
3. Focuses on gender, but also considers gender with sexuality, race, and class.

The key issues:

1. Human agency ignored (i.e. what people?)
2. Applying modern-day examples of societies to the past (i.e. women were only gatherers and never held important positions)
3. Major under-representation of women in archaeology

Link to the article: What is Feminist/Gender Archaeology? A Nutshell Perspective

Fieldwork is an incredible opportunity for hands-on learning and research, but it also brings unique challenges, especially concerning women’s safety. Power imbalances, remote locations, and stereotypical perceptions of fieldwork can make for uncomfortable experiences. At the Joukowsky Institute, we recognize the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for all students venturing into the field. It’s essential for everyone to not only be aware of potential safety issues but also to know how to effectively respond when faced with them. Even more crucial, though, is equipping students with the knowledge and strategies to avoid dangerous situations before they arise.

Guidelines for in-the-field and on-site safety

• do not ever go out into the field on your own, no matter whether by car or on foot
• if you go out, make sure other people know where you go for the day and leave your contact number(s) – if cell phones function where you work
• take at least some basic first aid items such as band-aids and disinfectant with you
• drinking water, sunscreen, and a hat are equally critical items to take
• locate the nearest hospital or place to get medical assistance, and know how to get there in an emergency
• take note of emergency phone numbers, including International SOS and your project directors’ contact phone numbers
• always carry some form of identification on you in the field, such as a your ID or a photocopy of it

Fieldwork Contacts

It’s important to keep a list of key departmental contacts, including directors, advisors, and student outreach representatives, as well as health and safety organizations on your campus. Compile a list of these contacts and print out a card with their information. Make sure to carry this card with you at all times during your fieldwork.

Resources on Inclusive Fieldwork 

• The Field Work Initiative 
• Women Doing Fieldwork 
• Women in Archaeology 
• Hirst, Hailey. “Makeup & Muckboots: Navigating Femininity and Fieldwork.” She Explores, 13 Apr. 2022, https://she-explores.com/freeform/makeup-muckboots-navigating-femininity-and-fieldwork/.
• Colaninno, C., Lambert, S., Beahm, E., & Drexler, C. (2020). Creating and Supporting a Harassment- and Assault-Free Field School. Advances in Archaeological Practice, 8(2), 111-122. doi:10.1017/aap.2020.8