Archaeological Institute of America

Jungle Kingdoms of the Ancient Maya
2027-02-18 - 2027-03-03
Join us on this tropical adventure that offers the most comprehensive and best-paced exploration of the ancient Maya world amid the verdant jungles and awe-inspiring ruins of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.
This immersive experience, co-sponsored by the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) and the Society of Architectural Historians (SAH), brings together two renowned organizations that are committed to the study and preservation of our shared cultural and architectural heritage. Ben Thomas will be leading this tour as both the former Director of Programs for the AIA and the current Executive Director of SAH. As part of a small group of no more than 16 guests, join us on this
winter getaway to delve deep into the legacy of the ancient Maya. Marvel at stucco friezes, towering pyramids, and painted frescoes as we visit some of the most significant and visually stunning archaeological sites in the region, including Palenque, Bonampak, Yaxchilán, Tikal, Yaxhá, Copán, and Quiriguá—four of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will also enjoy time to reflect, relax, or go bird watching in serene natural settings from our comfortable hotels and remote jungle lodges.

Spokane Monthly Archaeology Lecture
2027-02-18 18:30 - 20:00, 2027-03-18 18:30 - 20:00, 2027-04-15 18:30 - 20:00, 2027-05-20 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W 1st Ave, Spokane, WA, 99201, United States
Join us for our monthly lectures on a variety of archaeological topics!

Cruising the Mekong River Vietnam and Cambodia
2027-03-01 - 2027-03-14
We invite you to join AIA lecturer and host Miriam Stark on a captivating journey through the rich history and vibrant culture of tropical Indochina on our luxurious tour of Vietnam and Cambodia along the majestic Mekong River. Spend two nights in the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City (still known as Saigon), a dynamic hub that exudes energy, before embarking the exquisite, 14-suite Mekong Princess, a riverboat that embodies the gracious heritage and beauty of Southeast Asia, combined with a romantic French colonial style and all the modern comforts. Her small size and ultra-shallow draft allow us to experience this mighty river from an intimate perspective. Throughout the journey, Professor Stark will offer a series of lectures, share insights into what you are seeing, and encourage discussions. Local guides will accompany you on all excursions. Cruise the Mekong for seven nights, from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap. The Mekong takes us into the fascinating but seldom-visited world of one of
Asia’s great waterways. Marvel at floating villages whose residents literally live on the water—working, shopping, and even attending school and church. Tour a family-owned orchard, visit a noodle factory and a coconut candy maker, and experiment with typical Vietnamese ingredients during a cooking demonstration. Conclude the program with three nights in Siem Reap, where you can immerse yourself in the world-famous Khmer temples of Angkor, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at the remains of different capitals of the Khmer Empire, including the iconic Angkor Wat and the Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom. An optional pre-trip extension to Hanoi and Ha Long Bay is also available.
This adventure is limited to only 24 guests and is co-sponsored with another organization.

"The Strait of Hormuz through time: tracing the archaeology of a key global trading connection from the Bronze Age to the Portuguese"
2027-03-07 15:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2S3A1, Canada
Derek Kennet (University of Chicago)

The Queens of Nimrud’s Northwest Palace: Beauty, Power, and Presence in the Neo-Assyrian World, c. 8
2027-04-04 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Penn Museum, 3230 South Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
Too often overshadowed by the legacy of Assyria’s ancient kings, this presentation illuminates
the queens who reigned with them in ancient Iraq during the ninth and centuries BCE. We focus
on the queens of Nimrud’s Northwest Palace because it is here that Iraqi archaeologists
discovered their royal tombs. The tombs contained heaps of precious jewelry and regalia, along
with cuneiform inscriptions, and even some skeletal remains. Putting together these artifacts of
death, and connecting them to the art, architecture, and written record of the era, we can
reconstruct the beauty, power, and presence of Nimrud’s Northwest Palace queens in life and for
eternity.

Türkiye: Ancient Splendors of the Aegean & Mediterranean
2027-04-11 - 2027-04-24
Many of the most magnificent and best-preserved ancient Greek and Roman sites are found along Türkiye’s beautiful Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. Visit world-famous, plus little-visited yet spectacular, Greco-Roman sites, Byzantine churches, Crusader castles, and Ottoman palaces. Your engaging AIA lecturer/host, Yaşar Ersoy, teaches classical art and archaeology and has been doing fieldwork in Türkiye since 1980. Throughout the program he will offer illustrated talks and informal discussions about the sites you are visiting and their places within the larger ancient Mediterranean world. Along the way, you will enjoy delicious cuisine, comfortable accommodations, and the company of a small group of like-minded fellow travelers. An expert tour manager/local guide will handle logistics and smooth the way.
Highlights:
• Visit four UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
– Historic Areas of Istanbul, including the 6th-century Byzantine church-turnedmosque of Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, the imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans
– Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean, whose treasures include ancient villas with splendid frescoes and mosaics, and the 2ndcentury A.D. Library of Celsus
– Aphrodisias, whose Temple of Aphrodite, tetrapylon, large stadium, and baths of Hadrian are unforgettable
– Hierapolis-Pamukkale, where we see the ruins of the baths and temples of a famous 2nd-century B.C. thermal spa
• Marvel at a variety of Greco-Roman sites, including:
– Sardis, former capital of the Lydian Empire and King Croesus, who was defeated by Persian king Cyrus the Great in 546 B.C.
– Didyma’s 7th-century B.C. Temple of Apollo, one of the leading oracles in the ancient world; and the 4th-century B.C. Temple of Athena at Priene, which became the classical model of Greek city planning
– Magnesia on the Meander, renowned for its Artemis cult, which has the ruins of a well-preserved theater and a stadium that could seat 30,000 spectators
– Kibyra, with its magnificent stadium, odeon covered with a Medusa mosaic, late Roman bath, and underground tombs
– Sagalassos, a rarely visited and recently excavated site at an elevation of 5,000 feet, with breathtaking views
– Aspendos, with one of the best-preserved ancient theaters in the world, renowned for its acoustics; and Perge, with its splendid theater, stadium, and enormous Hellenistic and Roman gates
• Explore several fine museum collections, including Istanbul’s Archaeological Museum, Burdur’s Archaeological Museum, and the Antalya Archaeological Museum
• Two flights within Türkiye are included to maximize your time
• An optional extension to central Türkiye is available, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia; Hattusha: the Hittite Capital; and the Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük. Also visit Ankara, with its superb Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and Konya, the famous center of Sufi mystic Rumi and his followers.

Grand Mediterranean Voyage: Malta to Türkiye
2027-04-11 - 2027-04-24
We invite you to join archaeologist Michael Hoff on an enriching, ten-night voyage through the central Mediterranean and into the Aegean. Experience an extraordinary variety of sites throughout Malta, Sicily, Italy’s “heel,” the island of Corfu and mainland Greece, and Türkiye as we explore some of the most remarkable landscapes and archaeological treasures of the ancient world. Embark in Valletta, Malta, our elegant, home-away-from-home: the 92-stateroom Le Dumont d’Urville, which makes for an ideal
base as we wend our way toward Türkiye. The vessel’s intimate size, inviting public spaces, and attentive service create an ideal setting for both discovery and relaxation.
Highlights include:
• Exploration of Malta’s remarkable prehistoric heritage, including the Tarxien Temples and the even older sanctuary of Ħaġar Qim, along with Valletta’s magnificent Baroque St. John’s Co-Cathedral, home to Caravaggio masterpieces.
• A visit to Syracuse, Sicily, once one of the greatest cities of the ancient Mediterranean, where the vast archaeological park, the monumental Greek theater, and the historic island of Ortygia reveal the city’s Greek and Roman legacies.
• A day in Puglia, discovering Lecce’s exuberant Baroque architecture before exploring the historic port town of Gallipoli, with its winding streets and long history of Mediterranean trade.
• Greece’s lush island landscapes of Corfu, sacred sanctuary of Delphi, dramatic Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, and breathtaking monasteries of Meteora, one of Europe’s most extraordinary cultural landscapes.
• Stepping into the ancient world at Ephesus, one of the best preserved classical cities in existence; and visits to the impressive remains of Perge and Aspendos, including Aspendos’ magnificent Roman theater.
Drawing on decades of excavations and research in Greece and Türkiye, Professor Hoff will offer engaging lectures and insightful interpretations that deepen our understanding of the sites we visit. His talks and conversations will illuminate the historical connections, archaeological discoveries, and cultural traditions that helped shape the Mediterranean world. I hope you will join us for this remarkable journey across the ancient Mediterranean. This program is co-sponsored, so we encourage you to
contact us today at aia@studytours.org or (800) 748-6262 to reserve your preferred stateroom.

Greece's Temples, Theaters & Sacred Landscapes: An Archaeological Exploration tour
2027-04-12 - 2027-04-25
Experience the awe-inspiring ruins of ancient Greece through the eyes of an expert. This immersive journey, led by archaeologist Jenifer Neils and a local guide, brings deeper meaning to the temples, theaters, and sanctuaries that shaped Western civilization. As we travel from the Acropolis of Athens, across the Peloponnese, to the oracle of Delphi and the monasteries of Meteora and to sites associated with the remarkable life of Alexander the Great, each site comes to life through the insights of our expert local guide. Professor Neils will offer informal discussions and a series of formal lectures throughout the program. With a small group of fellow travelers, explore world-renowned sites and museums, and return each evening to exceptional accommodations.
Highlights:
• Travel in the company of Jenifer Neils, a leading archaeologist and expert on the ancient Mediterranean.
• Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites: » The Acropolis of Athens, with its iconic Parthenon and nearby Acropolis Museum
» Epidaurus, home to the remarkably preserved theater and sanctuary of Asclepius
» Mycenae and Tiryns, centers of the Mycenaean civilization and Homeric legend
» Olympia, where the ancient Olympic Games were held for more than a millennium
» Delphi, the sanctuary of Apollo and site of the most famous oracle in antiquity
» Meteora, with its dramatic monasteries perched atop towering rock formations
» The archaeological site of Vergina, burial place of Macedonian royalty
• Explore outstanding museum collections
• Enjoy excellent meals and stays in historic towns, with time to explore.

Hiking Southern Italy: Islands & Fire in the Land of the Gods
2027-05-08 - 2027-05-18
Welcome to an extraordinary springtime journey through the rich ancient history, breathtaking volcanic landscapes, and legendary food and wine culture of southern Italy and Sicily. Led by archaeologist Crispin Corrado, this thoughtfully paced program combines exceptional archaeological exploration with five rewarding hikes through some of the Mediterranean’s most dramatic scenery. Travel among active and dormant volcanoes, walk ancient paths overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, and discover remarkable sites that illuminate the ancient Roman world, all while enjoying distinctive four-star accommodations, excellent regional cuisine, expert local guides, and the seamless support of a professional tour manager throughout.
Highlights include:
• Pompeii, one of the world’s most extraordinary archaeological sites, destroyed (but also preserved!) by the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79
• Hiking the trail of Vesuvius National Park to the crater, with amazing views over the whole Gulf of Naples
• A breathtaking hike along the “Path of the Gods,” on the Sorrento Peninsula, with views of the Tyrrhenian Sea
• A ferry ride to the fabled island of Capri to hike along fragrant trails to Roman Emperor Tiberius’ Villa Jovis
• A visit to the Naples Archaeological Museum, which houses one of the world’s finest collections of Greco-Roman art and artifacts
• A private boat ride to Stromboli, the most active volcano in Europe, erupting at intervals of approximately 15 minutes
• A hike to the top of Vulcano, viewing numerous volcanic phenomena, including smoke clouds, vapor spouts, and sulphuric mud holes
This tour requires an elevated level of fitness, please see the what to expect section in the brochure

AIA Sicily Circumnavigation: Sailing around Sicily & Malta
2027-05-24 - 2027-06-02
We invite you to join archaeologist Jim Higginbotham, our AIA lecturer and host, on this delightful, eight-night circumnavigation Our journey begins and ends in Valletta, Malta, one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. Sail to Sicily and cruise clockwise around this marvelous island, bursting with archaeological and architectural wonders including the Doric Greek temple at Segesta, Palermo’s stunning Norman Palace, and the Greek theater at Taormina. Sample the rich flavors of Marsala with a guided tasting of this famed Sicilian wine, and on Syracuse’s Ortygia island enjoy a wine tasting hosted by a nobleman in a private Baroque palazzo. In all, our itinerary features six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including a full day in the Aeolian Islands, along with a specially timed sunset sailing through the Strait of Messina. An optional pre-trip extension is available, for an unforgettable introduction to Malta and Gozo. Along the way, we will benefit from the knowledge and insights of a team of onboard experts, including AIA lecturer/host James Higginbotham, who will provide a series of lectures and informal discussions. Our means of cruising from port to port is delightful. Like Marjorie Merriweather Post’s legendary Sea Cloud, the Sea Cloud II embodies the elegance and romance of a bygone era while offering the highest standards of modern comfort. This magnificent windjammer is operated by a highly skilled crew that hand-sets more than 30,000 square feet of canvas, a rare and captivating sight at sea. Life onboard seamlessly blends classic sailing traditions with refined service, spacious accommodations, and thoughtful amenities. This program is co-sponsored by other organizations, and the Sea Cloud II has only 47 cabins, so I encourage you to contact
AIA Tours today at aia@studytours.org or 800-748-6262 for your preferred cabin.

AIA Hiking in Scotland's Orkney & Shetland Islands tour
2027-07-19 - 2027-07-29
This is the perfect opportunity to explore all that Scotland’s Northern Isles have to offer: prehistoric stone circles, burial chambers, and settlements; quaint villages; huge seabird colonies; and remarkable plant life—all amidst dramatic landscapes. This will
be Scotland seen slowly, with time for in-depth exploration at each site. The Orkney and Shetland islands have an amazing wealth of archaeological sites dating back 5,000 years. Together the islands have more than 18,000 known sites, with new discoveries being made every year. This archaeological saga is worth the telling, and nowhere else can the evidence be seen in more glorious a setting.
Highlights:
• A private virtual tour of the Ness of Brodgar excavations and access to some of the finds. This ceremonial site in the “Heart of Neolithic Orkney” was in use for around 1,000 years and a 20-year excavation project was completed in 2024. The site is within the UNESCO World Heritage Site on Orkney, which also includes the chambered tomb of Maeshowe, estimated to have been constructed around 2700 B.C.; the Stones of Stenness; the 4,000-year-old Ring of Brodgar, one of Europe’s finest Neolithic monuments; Skara Brae settlement; and associated funerary monuments and stone settings. These are unquestionably among the most important Neolithic sites in western Europe.
• “The Crucible of Iron Age Shetland”—including Mousa Broch, the best-preserved known broch in the world, Old Scatness, and Jarlshof—where the lack of intensive modern farming means that the preservation of these sites and their landscapes is exceptional.
• The Isles are a birdwatcher’s paradise, and one of the major seabird breeding and feeding areas in the North Atlantic. More than a million birds breed in very large colonies.
• All meals are included, and you will enjoy comfortable accommodations: four nights at the elegant Lynnfield Hotel, a comfortable overnight ferry from Orkney to Shetland and from Shetland to Aberdeen, and three nights at the remote and charming Busta House Hotel.
This unique tour is more highly active than our usual land tours and features daily hikes that are easy to moderate in difficulty. You must be able to walk or be on your feet for most of the day; keep a steady group pace; and navigate uneven terrain, and up and down inclines and steps. To fully enjoy and visit all the sites on this itinerary one should be in good physical condition and, obviously, enjoy walking! Two local guides and a tour manager will accompany our group of fifteen participants. Our guides will explain in advance the difficulty of each day’s walk(s) and, if you prefer, you can opt out of any walking excursion and be driven to the next stop; but, bear in mind that some sites can only be visited if you walk to them.
