SBA PUBLICATIONS
Dr. Alicia Odewale (SBA President-Elect, University of Houston) published an article titled, “My Mother’s Remedy: An Archaeological Journey Home Through Darkness and Light” for Adventuress Archaeology Special Issue Volume 4
Craig Stevens (SBA Treasurer, Northwestern University) and Chrislyn Laurore (UPenn) published an essay titled, “How Virtual Reality Is Restoring Liberia’s Culture” for SAPIENS Magazine
News at Brown recently published an article highlighting a newly discovered altar buried near the center of the ancient Maya city of Tikal. Featuring Brown Professors Andrew Scherer and Stephen Houston, the altar sheds new light on the 1,600-year-old tensions between Tikal and the central Mexican capital of Teotihuacan.
Explore a new, free-access collection of book chapters and journal articles, examining themes of politics and power, and the dynamics between political thought, philosophy, history and society in both the classical world and beyond it.
Featured journals include those published by Cambridge on behalf of the Classical Association and the Roman Society, as well as the Journal of Roman Archaeology, Antiquity and Cambridge’s new open access journal Public Humanities. Where not already open access, all chapters and articles are free to read until 30 April 2025.
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:
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 was an archeologist and ethnologist whose research focused on Mesoamerica and the southwestern United States. She participated in a field school at Chaco Canyon as a student, then led expeditions of Girl Scouts on digs in the southwest. Her long career at the Museum of New Mexico resulted in an expansion of the exhibit halls and public education programs. Bertha also served on the National Park Service Advisory Board.
Florence Hawley Ellis broke new ground in archeology through use of dendrochronology, statistical analysis, chemical analysis, ethnohistory, and ethnoarcheology — often, all together. An advocate for women and equality, Florence taught and mentored students until her retirement. She is remembered as a tough teacher, a careful and thorough researcher, and a mentor to a generation of archeologists.
Dr. Frederica “Freddy” de Laguna was an influential archeologist and anthropologist who worked extensively throughout Alaska. Her trailblazing career spanned more than three decades. Dr. de Laguna’s research not only helped lay the groundwork for modern archeology in Alaska, it helped to open the male dominated fieldof archeology to women in the early 20th century.
Jean Carl Harrington, often called “J.C.” or Pinky, and Virginia Sutton Harrington were two pioneering National Park Service archeologists. They excavated important archeological sites, established professional associations, traveled across the world, and even continued to excavate after retirement. J.C. and Virginia collaborated at Jamestown, and Fort Raleigh and Fort Necessity. The couple also helped to establish the Eastern National Park and Monument Association.
Jean McWhirt Pinkley joined the National Park Service after earning her Master’s degree in archeology in 1936. Her first position was at Mesa Verde National Park, where she was first a museum assistant and, later, chief of interpretation. Pinkley went on to work at Pecos National Monument and the Southwest Archaeological Center. Her distinguished career in archeology and the National Park Service was recognized with multiple awards.
Jennifer Pederson WeinbergerJennifer Pederson Weinberger is the Cultural Resources Program Manager for the Alaska Region. Jennifer began her career with the NPS in 1995 as a seasonal archeological technician working on surveys and excavations at Hopewell Culture National Historical Park in southern Ohio. Jennifer continued at Hopewell Culture in a series of positions eventually becoming superintendent before joining the Alaska Regional Office in 2012.
Margaret Lyneis was one of the few women present at the Tule Springs Fossil Beds “Big Dig” from 1962 to 1963, which aimed to test whether humans interacted with Late Pleistocene animals at this site as well as possible associations of Pleistocene animal fossils with charcoal and tools.
Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Yelm Kingman was one of the first women to make significant contributions to understanding the archeological past of Rocky Mountain National Park. Her next position was at Mesa Verde National Park, where she wore several hats. Betty published and delivered papers on archeology. After leaving NPS, Betty continued to participate in professional societies and worked as a science librarian until her retirement.
Ruthann Knudson was an archeologist who specialized in Paleoindian studies. She touched seemingly every aspect of American archeology, often simultaneously and with great energy. She taught at colleges and universities; worked for private companies andfederal agencies; participated on professional and local societies, boards, and commissions; published reports and articles; and furthermore was an extraordinary artist, flint knapper, advocate for women, and friend.
Link to the article: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/archeology-this-month-women-s-history.htm
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.
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.
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.
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 2023 Season of the Mastaba of Akhmerutnisut Documentation Project (MAD-P)
The 2023 season of the Mastaba of Akhmerutnisut Documentation Project (MAD-P) focused on Giza’s mastaba G 2184, belonging to Fifth Dynasty official Akhmerutnisut. Excavated in 1912, the tomb had been poorly documented, with only brief studies later. This Luso-Brazilian project, led by Dr. Inês Torres and Dr. Luiza Osorio G. Silva (assistant director), aimed to assess the tomb’s state and document its architecture and decorations, many previously unrecorded.
The team discovered fragments of decoration, offering insights into the tomb’s construction and possible connections to Akhmerutnisut’s family. This AEF project is vital for preserving Egypt’s elite Old Kingdom tombs, often overshadowed by pyramids.
$5 Million Mellon Grant Fuels Next Phase of CLIR’s Effort to Unearth Hidden Histories
Fourth Cycle of Digitizing Hidden Collections: Amplifying Unheard Voices Expands Access to Marginalized Stories
The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) has received a $5 million grant from the Mellon Foundation to launch the fourth cycle of its Digitizing Hidden Collections: Amplifying Unheard Voices (DHC:AUV) program. This initiative, which dedicates $4 million to regranting funds, is committed to uncovering and preserving stories that have long been silenced, erased, or inaccessible.
Designed to elevate the voices and histories of often overlooked communities, DHC:AUV has already funded projects illuminating the experiences of Chinese laborers during the Chinese Exclusion Act, the history of hip-hop and street dance, the realities of incarceration during COVID-19, Black community histories in cities across the U.S. Other past grants have supported the digitization of materials documenting trans-BIPOC experiences, the creative works of developmentally disabled artists, and numerous overlooked narratives.
The next call for proposals will open in August, inviting eligible nonprofit organizations across the United States and Canada to apply. Projects must align with the program’s core values: public knowledge, broad representation, authentic partnerships, sustainable infrastructures, and community-centered access. By providing funding to academic, independent, and community-based organizations, CLIR seeks to break barriers to archival access and democratize historical knowledge.
“Documentary heritage is a cornerstone of all democratic societies and is an essential resource for supporting economic, social, legal, and cultural domains and fostering innovation,” said CLIR board chair Dr. Guy Berthiaume. “Thanks to the support of the Mellon Foundation and CLIR, partner institutions will be able to offer immediate and unlimited access to documentary resources fundamental to our understanding of the world around us.”
CLIR President Charles Henry added, “This generous Mellon Foundation award allows CLIR to continue to enrich our collective history, to augment with rigor and compassion the narratives that shape our identity, empower our agency, and instill harmony to once silent voices.”
A rigorous, months-long review process–led by an independent panel of scholars and practitioners from the United States and Canada–will evaluate proposals. Applicants receive support throughout the process and constructive feedback on their proposals, regardless of funding status. For full details, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines, visit Apply for An Award or sign up for CLIR’s Grants and Programs mailing list for updates.
Happy February from the Society of Black Archaeologists!
We’re celebrating this Black History Month with our new #BLACKINARCHAEOLOGY2025 production.
We made this video with SBA members across the world to showcase the diverse geographic representation of Black archaeologists, highlight the range of research questions and methodologies deployed within this community, and share a message of inspiration and collaboration across our varied missions.
Check out the video on YouTube!
PUBLICATIONS
SBA members Mykayla Williamson and Zenzi Moore-Dawes wrotearticles for the latest edition of Adventuress Archaeology Magazine. The issue (3) is dedicated to the work of Black women in archaeology and can be downloaded at https://www.OPPORTUNITIES
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