May 13, 2026
We’re thrilled to introduce Caitlin Knortz, recipient of the prestigious 2026 Graduate Student Paper Award!
The Graduate Student Paper Award (GSPA) was established to recognize graduate students for their substantial contributions to the success of the Annual Meeting. Click here for more information on how to apply for the Graduate Student Paper Award.
We also had the chance to ask Caitlin a few questions about her background in archaeology and what sparked her interest in the field, as well as what’s next in her academic and professional journey.
Caitlin Knortz (Princeton University)
Caitlin’s paper, “Makeshift Marketplaces in the Roman City,” examines temporary and ‘pop-up’ markets in the Roman world through archaeological and textual evidence, providing original insights into world of commerce and commercialism in ancient Rome.
What drew you to archaeology?
I have always been struck by the material world we inhabit – from the household objects we use to the infrastructure that facilitates our daily activities – and how material culture can be used to illuminate life in the distant past. Building on this fascination, I have been increasingly drawn in recent years to patterns of urban occupation and development as driving forces behind the way humans evolve, interact, and shape the built environments that, in turn, shape them.
Tell us about your history (if any) with the AIA
I regularly present at the annual AIA conference and have given papers on topics ranging from domestic architecture and social status to patterns of social and economic development in Roman cities.
What’s next for you professionally?
I plan to defend my PhD dissertation, “Density and Crowding in the Roman City,” in May 2027. In the meantime, I am preparing several articles for submission to academic journals and am gearing up for another season of excavations in the Punic-Roman city of Tharros, Sardinia.
Learn more about what Award opportunities are available through the AIA.
