Archaeological Field Sampling and Material Selection for Radiocarbon Dating
2026-05-28 11:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom, Virtual, FL, 33155, United States
Join us for a complimentary webinar on best practices for archaeological field sampling and material selection for radiocarbon dating. Designed for archaeologists, geoarchaeologists, and heritage professionals, this session will provide practical guidance on selecting the right samples in the field to build robust site chronologies, avoid common pitfalls, and improve the reliability of dating results.
What you’ll learn:
– Radiocarbon dating in the archaeological context
– Building a robust site chronology: multiple samples, replication, and stratigraphic logic
– Best practices for sample selection & Field sampling strategy: charcoal, bone, seeds, carbonates, sediments, and mixed materials
– Key assumptions & challenges: old wood effect, reworking, intrusive material, reservoir effects, and preservation biases.
– Case studies
– Sample submission

Walter Farmer collection and Akenaton
2026-05-30 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Colorado
Dr. Jack Green (Associate Director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs, Washington and Lee University) will present a lecture entitled “Tell es-Sa’idiyeah Cemetery (Jordan) and its connections to ancient Egypt and Persia.” A reception and chance to talk with the speaker will be held afterwards.

2026 archaeological investigations with the Scouts at Fort Brewerton
2026-06-06 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Fort Brewerton & Oliver Stevens Blockhouse Museum, Box 392 9 US Route 11, Brewerton, 13029, United States
Join us for a day of archaeological investigations at Fort Brewerton!
This year we will be spending an additional day on the ditch feature found last year on the north side of the location of barracks building we call blockhouse # 4. Previous excavations in this area over the last 5 years have yielded many interesting artifacts and features, giving us clues about its layout and use. Our plan is to excavate and test for nitrates at different levels. Scouts will be participating to earn their archeology merit badges, learning proper archaeological fieldwork techniques from Dr. Timothy Abel. Our first excavation on the 6th will be followed up by our second excavation on the 13th.
Current Fort Brewerton Historical Society members are welcome to assist in the excavation, members of the public are welcome to observe. Please message us if you plan on volunteering to assist in the excavation. The blockhouse museum may not be open for tours.
Additionally, members of the New York State Archaeological Association are welcomed to participate with written permission from their chapter representative. Please contact us for more information.

Gallery Talk: Celtic Art Across the Ages
2026-06-06 12:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, United States
Join Harvard graduate student Anthony Ortega for a discussion of an elite Iron Age burial site called Kleinaspergle tumulus. Discovered in southwestern Germany, it contained an assemblage of both imported and locally produced objects. Ortega will focus on a selection of objects on display in the special exhibition Celtic Art Across the Ages, while exploring the history of the tumulus (burial mound) itself and the questions raised by the archaeology of the site.
Led by:
Anthony Ortega, Ph.D. candidate in the History of Art and Architecture, Harvard University
In Celtic Art Across the Ages (March 6–August 2, 2026), discover the many forms of Celtic creativity and their artistic legacies in this sweeping story that spans ancient to modern times.

2026 Day 2 of archaeological investigations with the Scouts at Fort Brewerton
2026-06-13 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Fort Brewerton & Oliver Stevens Blockhouse Museum, Box 392 9 US Route 11, Brewerton, 13029, United States
Join us for a second day of archaeological investigations at Fort Brewerton!
Following our first excavation on the 6th of June , this day will be used to excavate a new radar anomaly found last year during our survey. Ground penetrating radar seems to indicate 2 intermittent linear features in that area. Like dashed or dotted lines, these do not match Fort Brewerton’s plans and may be old fence lines.
Scouts will be participating to earn their archeology merit badges, learning archaeological fieldwork techniques with supervision from Dr. Timothy Abel.
Current Fort Brewerton Historical Society members are welcome to assist in the excavation, members of the public are welcome to observe. Please message us if you plan on volunteering to assist in the excavation. The blockhouse museum may be open for tours.
Additionally, members of the New York State Archaeological Association are welcomed to participate with written permission from their chapter representative. Please contact us for more information.

Materials Lab Workshop: Celtic Knotwork Design
2026-06-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-14 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, United States
Knotwork has long been associated with Celtic art; it has decorated illuminated manuscripts, been tooled into fine metalwork and jewelry, and been carved into wood and stone. The methods of construction—passed down from master to apprentice for over a thousand years—were nearly lost until rediscovered in the late 20th century.
Join Celtic illuminator Michael Carroll for a hands-on knotwork workshop organized in connection with the exhibition Celtic Art Across the Ages (March 6–August 2, 2026). The artist will reveal the ancient secrets of the structure underlying this traditional design and guide participants in various drawing exercises that apply to even the most complex designs. Following the workshop, we’ll visit the special exhibition galleries for a short curatorial tour to observe the application of such patterns.
Pre-registration required.
Fee: $15, paid at registration (materials will be provided)
Image: Michale Carroll, Serpentine, 2009. Detail of an illuminated manuscript. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Accessing Abydos: Excavating Bricks and Archives for Answers About Early Kingship
2026-06-14 15:00 (America/New_York) | Redwood City Woman’s Club, 149 Clinton Street, Redwood City, CA, 94062, United States
About the Lecture:
The site of Abydos is critical for understanding the rise of Egyptian kingship and the foundations of the pharaonic state. The earliest kings built their tombs far in the desert at Abydos, ringing them with sacrificial burials. But the largest monuments built by these kings were not tombs but temples, also at Abydos, and also often provided with sacrificial burials. Built much closer to the floodplain and settlement site, these structures, known to archaeologists as funerary enclosures, remain somewhat enigmatic.
One such funerary enclosure still stands today, its mud-brick walls looming over the landscape some 4700 years after it was built. The standing monument is the last of the line; its predecessors are present only as foundations, no longer visible except when archaeologists clear the sand from them. Why are all earlier funerary enclosures mere stubs? Published explanations have focused on deliberate destruction, arguing that each building “died” as its king did, leaving only one standing at a time. However, recent work in the unpublished archives of the past 30 years of excavations held in New York suggest that neither the evidence nor its interpretation is nearly so straightforward.
In this talk, we will look first at the history of archaeology at the Abydos funerary enclosures and what knowledge has been produced there. We will then dive into the excavation of an archive, the work being done to bring unpublished material to light, and how this is reshaping thoughts about early kingship. In doing so, we will confront important matters not only about the ancient past, but about how archaeologists work, and how exciting it can be to confront evidence that makes us change our minds.
About the Speaker:

Dr. Laurel Bestock is the Joukowsky Family Associate Professor of Egyptology and Archaeology at Brown University, as well as a visiting professor and director of excavations at Abydos at the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University. A field archaeologist with longstanding interests in kingship and monumentality, she has directed projects at Abydos and at the Middle Kingdom fortress of Uronarti in the Sudan. She is part of a team that is developing Kiosk, archaeological recording software that is used by excavations around the world. Though a native Californian, Laurel left to pursue degrees in the cold way back in 1995 and has missed the West Coast ever since. In her spare time she spins yarn, and is preparing to bring her obsessions together in the classroom next semester by teaching a course on the Archaeology of Textiles.

Redwood City Woman’s Club location and parking:
This month, we’re meeting on the Peninsula, in the Redwood City Woman’s Club, two blocks off Broadway in central Redwood City. The 1911 bungalow, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, dates from the year women won the vote in California and worked in groups like this one to secure their roles in public life. The club is fully ramped and wheelchair-friendly. For users of public transit, it’s walking distance from Caltrain. Best freeway access is from Highway 101’s Whipple Avenue exit. Parking is along the street, though given advance notice, we can set up a couple of disabled spots on the north side of the building.
Useful links:
Redwood City Woman’s Club
Google map of vicinity
About Northern California ARCE:
For more information, please visit https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernCaliforniaARCE, https://www.facebook.com/NorthernCaliforniaARCE, https://arce-nc.org, https://bsky.app/profile/khentiamentiu.bsky.social, and https://khentiamentiu.org. To join the chapter or renew your membership, please go to https://arce.org/membership/ and select “Berkeley, CA” as your chapter when you sign up.

America’s First Egyptologist and the Creation of the ISAC Museum
2026-06-20 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | The Historic Longview Farm House, 13525 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO, 63141, United States
Dr. Kate Ayres (Institute for the Study of Ancient cultures at the University of Chicago) will deliver her lecture entitled “America’s First Egyptologist and the Creation of the ISAC Museum.” A reception and chance to talk with the speaker will be held afterwards.

Different Eyes—Abstraction in Celtic Coins
2026-06-25 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, United States
Have you ever wondered why some ancient cultures do not seem as “skilled” as later societies in representing the natural world? If so, you are not alone. Many people assume that early art history is a story of technical progress toward better reproductions of reality. But what if it is less a matter of skill than of interest? Celtic coins offer a perfect opportunity to explore this idea. Join coins curator Laure Marest for this hands-on session with 2,300-year-old coins and discover the ancient Gallic fascination with abstraction.
The seminar is held in conjunction with the special exhibition Celtic Art Across the Ages (March 6–August 2, 2026).
This seminar is part of Gray Area, a series that features members of our curatorial staff exploring artworks that capture the complexities of humanity, political landscapes, ethics, ideologies, power dynamics, and critical thinking in our times. Through this series, we hope to encourage people to observe and consider their own individual gray areas, and to think about how their unique experiences guide the choices they make.
This is a free event. Registration required.
Image: Quarter stater of the Parisii, uncertain mint in Northern Gaul, 1st century BCE. Gold, 1.86g. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Loan from the Trustees of the Arthur Stone Dewing Greek Numismatic Foundation, 1.1965.38.

Gray Area: Different Eyes—Abstraction in Celtic Coins
2026-06-25 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, United States
Have you ever wondered why some ancient cultures do not seem as “skilled” as later societies in representing the natural world? If so, you are not alone. Many people assume that early art history is a story of technical progress toward better reproductions of reality. But what if it is less a matter of skill than of interest? Celtic coins offer a perfect opportunity to explore this idea. Join coins curator Laure Marest for this hands-on session with 2,300-year-old coins and discover the ancient Gallic fascination with abstraction.
The seminar is held in conjunction with the special exhibition Celtic Art Across the Ages (March 6–August 2, 2026).

Exhibition Tour: Celtic Art Across the Ages
2026-06-25 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, United States
Join Christian Dupont, Boston College’s Burns Librarian, for a tour of the special exhibition Celtic Art Across the Ages. He will discuss the re-emergence of Celtic mythologies and motifs in literature and art during the 18th and 19th centuries. The so-called Celtic Revival was nourished by Romanticism and achieved visual expression through the Arts and Crafts movement.
Led by: Christian Dupont, Associate University Librarian for Scholarly Resources and Burns Librarian, Boston College
In Celtic Art Across the Ages (March 6–August 2, 2026), discover the many forms of Celtic creativity and their artistic legacies in this sweeping story that spans ancient to modern times.
This is a free event.
Image: Eva McKee, Celtic spiral design with bird, c. 1920s. Print on paper. John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Exhibition Tour: Celtic Art Across the Ages
2026-07-23 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, United States
Go behind the scenes to learn more about the design, production, and installation of the special exhibition Celtic Art Across the Ages, with exhibition designer Robert Checchi.
Led by: Robert Checchi, Assistant Director for Exhibitions
In Celtic Art Across the Ages (March 6–August 2, 2026), discover the many forms of Celtic creativity and their artistic legacies in this sweeping story that spans ancient to modern times.
This is a free event.
Image: Installation view of Celtic Art Across the Ages. Photo: Robert Checchi

Highlands, Islands & Fjords
2026-07-25 00:00 (America/New_York) | Colorado
Archaeological Institute of America lecturer and host COLLEEN BATEY has excavated widely at several major Viking sites, including Jarlshof in Shetland, Orphir in Orkney, and Hofstađir in Iceland. Colleen’s main research interests lie in
the field of Viking and Late Norse archaeology, particularly in the Northern Isles of Scotland; Caithness, Scotland; and the North Atlantic region. Most recently, she published a major book on her work at the Earl’s Bu, Orphir, Orkney, where a Norse
horizontal mill was identified as part of the Earl’s Hall and round church complex. This work provides indications of local farming as well as international and national trading connections. In addition, Colleen is actively involved in the research of Viking
pagan graves in Scotland. Colleen has spent nearly 30 years working with small expedition ships, undertaking visits to the main UNESCO site in Orkney, for example, in addition to those in Greenland, Newfoundland, and the Baltic region. This has included seven prior AIA-sponsored cruises in the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea. She now lives in Orkney permanently. In early 2026, Colleen was appointed Honorary Inaugural Professor for the World Heritage Site in Durham, England. She also holds Fellowships in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Durham (from where she graduated as both undergraduate and Ph.D.) as well as at the University of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland.
Join us on the Hebridean Sky which has 59 exceptionally spacious and well-designed suites. Each suite has ocean views, and several suites have private balconies. All suites feature a sitting room, ensuite bathroom, flat screened TV, spacious wardrobes, a dressing table, and beds that can be configured as twins or a double. After a major refurbishment in 2016, and further enhancements since, the Hebridean Sky now boasts beautifully designed public spaces including a large lounge, elegant club and bar with piano, library, and two outdoor seating areas. An elevator services all passenger cabin decks. Onboard chefs prepare international and regional cuisine served at a single open seating in the Restaurant or on the Lido Deck, weather permitting. A friendly crew provides exceptional service with a 1:2 crew to passenger ratio. The ship features advanced satellite navigation and communication equipment, roll stabilizers, and a fleet of Zodiacs to access remote shorelines and islands.
Also offered:
PRE-TOUR EXTENSION
June 26–30, 2027
THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
POST-TOUR EXTENSION
July 11–14, 2027
ART & ARCHAEOLOGY IN OSLO

Petra Byzantine Church
2026-07-25 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Longview Park, 13525 Clayton Road, Town and Country, MO, 63141, United States
Dr. Peter Warnock, Adjunct faculty member in Anthropology at Muskegon Community College, and board member of the St. Louis Society of the Archaeological Institute will discuss the archaeological discoveries at the Byzantine church in Petra, Jordan. A reception will be held afterwards to talk with the speaker.

Exhibition Tour: Celtic Art Across the Ages
2026-07-31 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, United States
Join this tour to learn more about the metalworking and decorative techniques used to make objects on view in the special exhibition Celtic Art Across the Ages. Led by British Museum curator Sophia Adams, the tour will introduce ancient manufacturing techniques and examine how evolving decorative approaches shaped artistic styles during the European Iron Age.
Led by:
Sophia Adams, Curator of First Millennium European and Roman Conquest Period Collections, British Museum
In Celtic Art Across the Ages (March 6–August 2, 2026), discover the many forms of Celtic creativity and their artistic legacies in this sweeping story that spans ancient to modern times.

Explore Archaeology with Members of the Rochester Society Archaeological Institute of America
2026-08-08 10:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Irondequoit Public Library room 113, 1290 Titus Ave room 113, Rochester, NY, 14617, United States
Join members of the Rochester Society of the Archaeological Institute of America for hands-on archaeology activities! Appropriate for all ages, this program will give participants the chance to interact with archeology enthusiasts and sample artifacts. Kids can enjoy play-doh, coloring pages, and archaeology toys, and even try out some archaeology for themselves in a sandbox!

Family Archaeology Day at Pittsford Library — Hands-On History with the Rochester Society
2026-08-14 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Pittsford Community Library, 24 State Street, Pittsford, NY, 14534, United States
Dig into history — literally. On August 14, the Pittsford Community Library is hosting a Family Archaeology Day in partnership with members of the Rochester Society, offering an afternoon to explore what’s been found beneath our region’s surface. It’s the kind of afternoon that makes a child look at the ground a little differently on the walk home.

Here Comes the Sun: A diachronic study on the role of music during the Amarna Period
2026-08-16 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/FcyP-FNRSbqg_kpujlRXuA
The American Research Center in Egypt, Northern California chapter, invites you to attend a Zoom lecture by Waleed el-Hawatky, The American University in Cairo:
“Here Comes the Sun: A diachronic study on the role of music during the Amarna Period”
Sunday, August 16, 2026, 3 PM PDT
This meeting is virtual, and not in person. It will be recorded.
Zoom registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/FcyP-FNRSbqg_kpujlRXuA
Image Credit: Relief of People Driving off Birds, ca. 1352–1336 B.C.E.. Limestone, pigment, 8 1/4 x 21 1/4 in. (21 x 54 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 60.197.3. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum,www.brooklynmuseum.org)
About the Lecture:
Music has played and continues to play a prominent role in the lives of individuals and in society, hardwired into the human experience and integral to our understanding of the world in both its tangible and intangible manifestations. This was no different in dynastic Egypt, where abundant iconographic and physical evidence from the Old Kingdom on shows music being performed in every context and at every level of society. Music appears not only to gain prominence during the Amarna Period but also to develop innovations, including new instrument designs and musical ensembles, all of which are well documented in the rich visual culture of the Amarna Period. This paper explores music in this era, with an emphasis on the royal court, demonstrating its increased role as compared with the first part of the 18th Dynasty with evidence garnered from representations in tombs, temples and texts, as well as physical instruments, amulets, figurines and other material objects associated with music. Through both an Egyptological and musicological approach, this study not only elucidates the function and possibly accelerated evolution of musical innovation in the Amarna Period, but also the implications of the social and gender roles observed in musical practice within the framework of the Aten ideology, perhaps even inspired directly by it.
About the Speaker:
Waleed el-Hawatky is an Egyptologist and Musicologist with an MA in Egyptology & Coptology from The American University in Cairo. Born and raised in California to Egyptian immigrants, el-Hawatky is a newcomer to Egyptology, coming from a background in genetics and public relations, bringing disciplinary versatility to his work. A composer, performer and recording artist of nearly three decades, el-Hawatky specializes in ancient Egyptian musicology, seeking new approaches to the study of ancient music in hopes of eventually constructing a comprehensive lexicon on the ancient Egyptian musical tradition, contributing to the wider study of daily life in ancient Egypt.
How to Register:
Register for the lecture by clicking on this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/FcyP-FNRSbqg_kpujlRXuA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the lecture.
There are a few things you should know before you join the lecture:
* Advance registration is required. When you click on the link to register. you will receive instructions by email on how and when to join, along with a link on which you will click to join the meeting. Save the email, as you will need the link it contains to join the meeting. Please register now. Please do not share the join link with anyone, it is unique to your email address. Try to join at least 10 minutes before the meeting. When you do join the meeting, be prepared to be put in the waiting room until the lecture starts at 3 pm. This is a security measure.
* If you haven’t already installed Zoom, you should download and install the Zoom program (app) well before you try to join the meeting. There IS an option to use your web browser to join the meeting instead of the Zoom program, but the browser interface is limited and depends greatly on what browser and what operating system you’re using.
* For tutorials on how to use Zoom, go to https://learn-zoom.us/show-me. In particular, “Joining a Zoom Meeting” should show you what you need to do to join our lecture.
* All meeting attendees can communicate with everyone, or with individual participants, using the chat window, which can be opened by clicking on the chat button and which you can probably find at the bottom middle of your Zoom viewing screen. Participants will be encouraged to hold their questions for the speaker until after the lecture, and will also be encouraged to address their questions for the speaker to everyone, not just to the speaker, so that all can see them. “Everyone” is the default chat option.
If you have any questions, please email glenn@glennmeyer.net or arcencZoom@gmail.com.
About Northern California ARCE:
For more information, please visit https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernCaliforniaARCE, https://www.facebook.com/NorthernCaliforniaARCE, https://arce-nc.org, https://bsky.app/profile/khentiamentiu.bsky.social, and https://khentiamentiu.org. To join the chapter or renew your membership, please go to https://arce.org/membership/ and select “Berkeley, CA” as your chapter when you sign up.

You Can Do Archaeology Outreach from Anywhere! Level Up (or Start) Here
2026-08-31 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_chfFqP11TMGS6RGbneBTkA#/registration
Curious about participating in Skype a Scientist, but don’t know where to start? Or perhaps you’ve done it before, but are on the lookout for new ideas? Join AIA’s 2026-2027 Skype a Scientist Ambassadors Taylor Cwikla and Rachel Dewan and members of the AIA’s Outreach & Education Committee to hear a bit about their personal experiences with Skype a Scientist and strategies for virtually engaging classrooms and communities around the world. Stay for the Q&A to ask your burning questions and enjoy an informal conversation about this form of outreach.

Current Research in Tennessee Archaeology (CRITA)
2026-09-12 09:00 - 15:30 (America/Chicago) | Colorado
AIA-Nashville Society is excited to invite you to Current Research in Tennessee Archaeology (CRITA) on September 12, 2026! Organized by the Tennessee Division of Archaeology, this special program will be held in person from 9:00-3:30 at the Tennessee State Library and Archives in Nashville, Tennessee. See details below for free parking information. With morning and afternoon talks, this free day-long showcase is open to the public, bringing together professional archaeologists, students, and the interested public to learn about recent research into Tennessee’s archaeological heritage. This event is free and does not require registration.
More info: https://bit.ly/CRITA-2026
See website above for venue information, morning and afternoon program abstracts, and associated events.
Due to the January 2026 ice storm, CRITA has been rescheduled to September 12, 2026!
Full website link: https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/arch-archaeology/current-research-in-tennessee-archaeology–crita-/2026-crita-program.html

The Mystery of the Midas Monument
2026-09-14 16:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Colorado
The Elizabeth S. Ettinghausen Lecture

AIA UNESCO Treasures of Ancient Greece Circumnavigating the Peloponnese by Private Luxury Yacht + pre & post-tour options
2026-09-17 - 2026-09-26 | Colorado
On this special circumnavigation of Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula in the company of two special AIA lecturers and hosts, archaeologists Jack Davis and Shari Stocker. You will spend a night in Athens and then cruise around the Peloponnese aboard the luxurious, 50-cabin Emerald Azzurra for seven nights. Along the way, Jack and Shari will be part of a team of onboard experts who together will offer a series of lectures and informal discussions. This cruise, aboard this ship, with these experts, is an unmatched way to experience a beautiful and deeply historical part of Greece that is filled with archaeological delights. Your adventure begins with a night in the heart of historic Athens and a private visit to either the Goulandris Museum
of Cycladic Art or the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture. Then you will embark Emerald Azzurra, whose sleek design grants access to hidden harbors and a rare, full circumnavigation of the Peloponnese peninsula. Along the way, visit five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Mycenae, the fabled Bronze Age citadel; Epidaurus, known for its perfectly preserved ancient theater; Mystras, a remarkable Byzantine city; Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games; and Delphi, once home to the most influential
oracle in the ancient world. Perhaps the highlight of the program will be our special access — thanks to Jack and Shari — at Nestor’s Palace at Pylos, one of Greece’s best-preserved Mycenaean palaces. Between guided visits, explore coastal towns such as Nafplion, Gythio, and Pylos, each with deep historical roots. Conclude the voyage with a spectacular passage through the Corinth Canal before returning to Athens. Also available are a two-night, pre-tour extension in Athens and a four-night,
post-tour extension cruise in the Aegean.
Highlights include:
-Visit five UNESCO World Heritage Sites with expert local guides: Epidaurus, Mycenae, Mystras, Olympia, and Delphi.
-Transit the Corinth Canal, whose history extends back into classical times, including an unsuccessful attempt to build it in the 1st century A.D.
-Cruise for seven nights aboard the luxurious Emerald Azzurra, a state-of-the-art mega-yacht privately chartered and expertly staffed for unparalleled comfort and service.
-Gain special access to one of the most important Mycenaean sites in Greece, Nestor’s Palace at Pylos, where our AIA lecturers have done extensive fieldwork and made extraordinary finds.
-Wander through charming seaside towns like Nafplion, Gythio, and Pylos, where cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings, and vibrant harbors create picturesque settings perfect for exploration.
OPTIONAL PRE-TRIP EXTENSION: TUESDAY–FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15–18 , 2026 (Athens Greece)
Depart home on an overnight flight to Athens, Greece. Arrive Wednesday, September 16, and transfer to the centrally located Athens Capital Hotel—MGallery Collection. Experience the treasures our AIA study leaders who will enrich your visit with their expertise. Explore ancient landmarks from the bustling Agora and lively Plaka to the iconic Acropolis and its acclaimed museum. Savor authentic Greek meals, visit the National Archaeological Museum, and enjoy time to discover this vibrant city at your own pace.
OPTIONAL POST-TRIP EXTENSION: SATURDAY-WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 26 -30, 2026 (Athens, Cape Sounion, Delos, Mykonos, KuŞadasi Turkiye, Herakalion, Crete, Greece and Knossos)
LIMITED AVAILABILITY Remain in your cabin for an additional four-night cruise through the Aegean Sea, exploring the region’s most iconic ancient sites with expert local guides. This extension must be booked with the main program to ensure the same
cabin throughout.

Spokane Monthly Archaeology Lecture
2026-09-17 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!

AIA Romans & Moors in Morocco & Spain tour
2026-09-18 - 2026-09-29 | Colorado
Trace the layered history of the western Mediterranean on a journey through Morocco and Spain, where Roman, Islamic, and Christian civilizations shaped enduring cultural landscapes. From Morocco’s Roman ruins and imperial cities to Andalusia’s Moorish masterpieces and Spain’s great art collections, this thoughtfully paced itinerary weaves together archaeology, architecture, and living traditions. Along the way, you will be treated to insightful discussions with your AIA lecturer/host, Patrick Hunt, whose deep field experience and engaging lectures will bring these countries’ histories vividly to life.
Tour highlights:
• Explore Morocco’s imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, and Fes, including the medieval medinas of Fes el-Bali (“Old Fes”)
• Walk through layers of history at Rabat’s Chellah Fortress, where Phoenician, Roman, and Islamic remains converge
• Experience Andalusia’s cultural crossroads in Seville, Córdoba, and Granada, featuring palaces, mosques, cathedrals, and historic quarters
• Visit exceptional Roman sites including Volubilis, Italica, and the soaring Roman aqueduct of Segovia
• Discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Alhambra, Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Royal Alcázar of Seville, and historic city centers
• Delve into Spain’s artistic legacy with a guided visit of Madrid’s Prado Museum
• Savor regional cuisine through welcome and farewell dinners, select hosted meals, and opportunities to dine independently
• Stay in well-located 4- and 5-star hotels chosen for their quality, comfort, and proximity to key sites
This exclusive, small-group tour is limited to just 16 participants.

Religion at the Boundaries and the Archaeology of Interreligious Engagement
2026-09-21 14:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Colorado
Kershaw Lectures in Near East Archaeology
Time and Location TBA

AIA Essential Greece by Land & Sea tour with a 4-Night Aegean Cruise & Optional post-tour extension: Peloponnese Discovery
2026-09-22 - 2026-09-30 | Colorado
JOURNEY THROUGH THE HEART OF CLASSICAL GREECE AND THE AEGEAN WORLD on this marvelous exploration of Athens, several Greek islands, and the vast Greco-Roman site of Ephesus, Türkiye. Begin with three nights in Athens, staying near lively Syntagma Square. Explore with expert local guides Athens’ iconic ancient landmark, the Parthenon, plus the exceptional Acropolis Museum and the Museum of Cycladic Art. Also take a full-day excursion to the stunning sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, once considered the spiritual center of the ancient world.
Highlights include:
-Visit four UNESCO World Heritage Sites with expert local guides: Athens’ Acropolis, the island of Delos, Ephesus in Türkiye, and Crete’s Minoan Palace at Knossos.
-Delight in the antiquities and iconic sites in Athens such as climbing the Acropolis and visiting the Acropolis Museum while accompanied by expert guides.
-Cruise with AIA study leaders for four nights aboard the luxurious Emerald Azzurra, a privately chartered mega-yacht built, appointed, and staffed at the highest levels of comfort and service.
-Swim in azure waters surrounding the beautiful island of Mykonos and explore its beautiful cobblestone streets.
-Venture to Türkiye to walk the ancient streets of Ephesus, where the Greco-Roman world comes alive at one of the most complete classical cities in the Mediterranean.
-Wander the impressive ruins at Knossos in Crete, a spectacular Bronze Age site known as Europe’s oldest city.
OPTIONAL POST-TOUR EXTENSION: 9/30 to 10/3, 2026
Peloponnese Discovery Continue your journey with three nights in Greece’s Peloponnese, a region where layers of history unfold amid striking landscapes. Explore the ruins of Corinth, stand before the legendary citadel of Mycenae, and marvel
at the ancient theater of Epidaurus, celebrated for its remarkable acoustics. Balance these encounters with time to unwind in the seaside beauty of Nafplion. Conclude your travels in Athens with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum, home to one of the world’s most important collections of ancient art.

Columbus Society Kershaw Lecture in Near East Archaeology with Dr. Erin Darby
2026-09-22 16:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Colorado
Kershaw Lectures in Near East Archaeology
Topic and Time TBA

SAIG 2026 Dissertation Lecture: "Remembering Collapse: Understanding Ritual at Abandoned Late Bronze Age Sites on Crete through the lens of Social Trauma Theory" with Sarah Malik Bell
2026-09-22 17:00 (America/New_York) | Colorado
Please join the Student Affairs Interest Group for their annual Dissertation Lecture featuring Sarah Malik Bell, who received her PhD from Brown University in 2025, for her talk, “Remembering Collapse: Understanding Ritual at Abandoned Late Bronze Age Sites on Crete through the lens of Social Trauma Theory” on Tuesday, September 22nd at 5:00 PM ET/2:00 PM PT. The lecture will be held on Zoom – please register here.

Abstract:
This talk will discuss social trauma theory—a theory that is currently applied almost exclusively to social traumas originating in the contemporary moment—and its applicability to ancient archaeological contexts. Bell will discuss the ritual practices covered in her dissertation and map the periodic renewal of these practices against the material evidence for subsequent episodes of social change on the island of Crete. She will show that, as social trauma theory allows us to predict, embodied ritual practices became vital resources in the repeated reification of post-collapse identities during times of increased social threat on the island. She will also touch on regional variation and sociopolitical change to discuss long-term sociopolitical developments on Crete, including the development of the Cretan Poleis.

About the Speaker:
Sarah Malik Bell, PhD is Assistant Professor of Art History and Archaeology at Berea College. She received her PhD in archaeology from the Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World at Brown University, specializing in the ritual visitation of abandoned sites associated with social trauma in both the ancient and the contemporary worlds. Her current research continues to focus on the material legacies of difficult heritage and the role these legacies play in healing and/or perpetuating past trauma.

AIA Prehistoric Cave Art of Spain & France tour
2026-09-23 - 2026-10-05 | Colorado
Investigate southwestern Europe’s most extraordinary prehistoric caves, including Lascaux IV, a new, exact reproduction of one of the most remarkable prehistoric sites ever discovered; Altamira II, a precise replica of the original that is often called the “Sistine Chapel of Prehistoric Art”; Atapuerca, the most significant early human site in western Europe; Las Monedas Cave and Cueva del Castillo, where 455 animal likenesses were painted and engraved some 22,000-14,000 years ago, but other motifs such as hand stencils and red dots have been dated to more than 40,000 years ago, meaning that they may well have been made by Neanderthals; Cougnac, which features paintings of extinct megaloceros and mammoth; Pech Merle, known for its “negative handprints”; and others.
Highlights include:
• Enjoy excellent accommodations in fine hotels and charming inns, as well as fine wine and cuisine.
• Travel with world-renowned archaeological author Paul Bahn, a gifted and popular lecturer who regularly leads tours to study the prehistory of Spain and France, including this program. Dr. Bahn will enhance your understanding of the sites with lectures and informal discussions.
• Tour archaeological and ethnographic museums with superb exhibits of prehistoric artifacts, including the Museum of Human Evolution in Burgos, Altamira Museum, Museum of Les Eyzies, and the Museé d’Aquitaine; plus the modern art collections of Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum.
• Explore charming villages and cities, including Santillana del Mar and San Sebastián.
