Archaeological Institute of America

(Early) International Archaeology Day at the RMSC
2026-10-03 11:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Rochester Museum and Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY, 14607, 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!

Remembering Boudica: Monuments of a Barbarian Queen
2026-10-05 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Emory University, White Hall, Room 103, 301 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30322, United States
Charles Eliot Norton Memorial Lectureship

Imperial Barge: Cleopatra the Goddess
2026-10-06 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) | VA
Charles Eliot Norton Memorial Lectureship
Location TBA

Symposium Vesuvianum: Slavery and Humanity Revisited: The Impact of Slave Systems on Personal Experience
2026-10-07 12:00 - 2026-10-11 13:00 (Europe/Rome) | Villa Vergiliana, Via Cuma 320, Bacoli, NA, 80070, Italy
Organizers: John Bodel, Brown University; William Owens, Ohio University; Roberta Stewart, Dartmouth College
In his 1965 book Sklaverei und Humanität, Joseph Vogt offered a description of Roman slavery in which the enslaved accommodated themselves to the moral universe created by their enslavers. A dozen years later Moses Finley delivered a riposte to Vogt in a lecture at the Collège de France on “Slavery and Humanity,” in which he insisted on “a sharp distinction between more or less humane treatment of individual slaves by individual masters and the inhumanity of slavery as an institution”. Finley considered “the ambiguity inherent in slavery” to be “an excellent starting-point from which to examine the theme” but in the end concluded that the topic, “slavery and humanity, is plunged into the centre of modern moral and ideological controversy, as much a field for the philosopher and the theologian as for the historian” (Ancient Slavery and Modern Ideology, p. 122).
Now, nearly fifty years after Finley’s pronouncement, we propose to return to the issue of slavery and humanity and to convene a group of scholars with diverse interests and methodologies to consider the impact of ancient Mediterranean slave systems on persons, both the enslaved and the enslavers. What effect did systemic slavery have on the personal experiences and worldview of enslavers and the enslaved in ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern societies? What new insights into this question can be gained through methodologies developed over the past fifty years? Of particular relevance to the focus on persons are the distortions in the archive created by systems of domination. Such distortion is especially true for ancient Mediterranean slavery. Consideration of an enslaved person’s point of view often entails reading the ancient archive against the grain and increases our reliance on the comparative method and other heuristic devices as well as our obligation to employ them self-consciously and critically.
We solicit papers that consider any aspect of human experience in ancient Mediterranean or Near Eastern slavery. Possible topics include: the contexts of economic activity and social relations; affectual relations among the enslaved and between enslavers and enslaved; modes of resistance or accommodation; solidarity among the enslaved and among enslavers; religion and other aspects of cultural memory among the enslaved; trauma, or the psychic assault of enslavement and its consequences.
The symposium will include three and a half days of papers and discussion. Papers will be 25-30 minutes long with time for discussion. The schedule will also include visits to selected sites nearby. Meals and housing will be provided by the Villa Vergiliana (a bed in a double room with breakfast and dinner is approximately €70 a day; single rooms are available at private hotel/B&B accommodations within walking distance of the Villa). Those staying at the Villa should also figure in the cost of Vergilian Society membership ($35 for the year). In addition, there may be a modest registration fee, dependent on outside funding, to help defray the cost of lunches and other conference activities.
Confirmed participants include: Seth Bernard (University of Toronto), Ronald Charles (University of Toronto), Chris DeWet (University of Pretoria), Deborah Kamen (University of Washington), Sarah Levin-Richardson (University of Washington), David Lewis (University of Edinburgh) and Lauren Petersen (University of Delaware).
Please submit abstracts (300-400 words) to William Owens (owensb@ohio.edu) by February 15, 2026.
The organizers will get back to you during the first week of March.

AIA Coastal Peru: Cradle of Civilization in the Americas tour
2026-10-08 - 2026-10-19 | VA
We invite you to join us on an in-depth archaeological journey with anthropological archaeologist Gabriela Cervantes-Quequezana, Ph.D., whose extensive fieldwork brings depth and perspective to the societies we explore along Peru’s dynamic northern coast. Discover the ancient cultural centers of coastal Peru, home to some of the earliest and most influential civilizations in the Americas. From the remains of monumental pyramids at Caral-Supe to the richly decorated temples of the Moche and Chimú, this journey reveals more than five millennia of innovation, artistry, and ritual practice.
Highlights include:
•The Americas’ earliest urban centers: Explore the UNESCO-listed Caral-Supe and visit the early coastal sites of Bandurria and Vichama, featuring sunken plazas, stepped pyramids, and striking friezes
•Major ceremonial sites: Experience Pachacamac, tour Sechín with its carved warrior bas-reliefs, and see Chankillo (UNESCO), one of the world’s earliest solar observatories
•Moche and Chimú achievements: Visit Huaca de la Luna and the vast adobe capital of Chan Chan (UNESCO), masterpieces of coastal architecture and artistic expression
•Royal tombs and elite burials: Study iconic discoveries at El Brujo, Batán Grande, and the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum
•Exceptional museum access: Enjoy an in-depth visit to Lima’s renowned Larco Museum, with a private curator discussion (pending confirmation)
•Expert leadership: Gain insight through lectures and discussions with Dr. Cervantes-Quequezana, whose research focuses on political integration, architecture, craft production, and social dynamics in ancient Peru
•Traveling with a small group: Limited to just 16 participants
•An optional, 6-day, post-tour extension to Cusco (UNESCO) and Machu Picchu (UNESCO) is available

Communal Water, Invisible Labor: Modeling the Social Impact of Pompeii's Street Fountains
2026-10-08 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) | University of Iowa, 240 Art Building West, 120 Riverside Drive, Iowa City, IA, 52242, United States

“Celebrating our 'Hair-itage:' powdered wigs and hair care during the mid 1700s”
2026-10-08 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Jepson Hall, Room 118, Richmond Way 221, Richmond, VA, 23226, United States
Lecture by by Laura Galke (senior archaeologist at WSP) for International Archaeology Day and Virginia Archaeology Month

AIA Türkiye: From Göbekli Tepe to Mount Nemrut & the Tigris River tour
2026-10-09 - 2026-10-21 | VA
Travel with us beyond classical Türkiye, with its monumental, Greco-Roman ruins and Aegean sea backdrops. Find more history–and prehistory–amid the beauty of southeastern Türkiye, on a route less traveled, between Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul, and Diyarbakır, set along the banks of the famous Tigris River that helped form the cradle of civilization. Along the way you will see the world’s earliest monumental temples, dating back over 10,000 years; explore excellent archaeological and mosaic museums; and enjoy diverse architecture, from beehive-style mud houses to rock tombs, and early monasteries to mosques. Enjoy local cuisine, perhaps especially during our two-night stay in Gaziantep, a city famous across Türkiye for its cuisine; and explore bazaars and workshops with local artisans and craftspeople. Our AIA lecturer is intimately familiar with this region’s deep history and diverse cultures.
Highlights include:
– Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe, two prehistoric sites dating back to 9500-8000 B.C., suggesting that complex societies and monumental architecture existed well before the advent of agriculture
– The world-famous, 19-foot-tall statues and burial sanctuary of King Nimrod (Antiochus I Theos), at more than 7,000 feet above sea level in Mount Nemrut National Park
– Karatepe-Aslantaş National Park, Türkiye’s first open-air museum, with well-preserved Hittite ruins and statues dating from the 8th century B.C.
– Dara, one of the most important trade centers of ancient Mesopotamia, featuring rock tombs dating back to the 5th century A.D.
– The flooded ancient city of Hasankeyf (flooded in 2020 for dam construction), whose artifacts were removed to the Batman Archaeological Museum that we will visit, and some of whose important structures we will visit at a new, nearby location
– Diyarbakır’s city walls, the second-longest on Earth (after China’s Great Wall), which contain a castle and a medieval church
– Fascinating museums, such as the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, the world’s largest mosaic museum, with exquisite Hellenistic Greek and Roman mosaics; and the Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum, a domed structure protecting a Roman villa complex that was saved from a 2006 urban construction project
– An optional, post-tour extension to Lake Van, including visits to Van (Tushpa) Castle, center of the Kingdom of Urartu in the 9th to 6th centuries B.C., and the ruins of the Urartian fortress of Sarduri-Hinili at Çavuştepe

Filling the gaps: Recent Archaeological Studies into the US Civil War
2026-10-09 16:00 - 21:00 (America/Denver) | VA
Time and Location TBA

Arkansas ArcheOlympics
2026-10-10 11:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Winthrop Rockefeller Institute Archeological Research Station, 1 Rockefeller Drive, Morrilton, 72110, United States
The ArcheOlympics is an annual competition that brings together teams of archeology students, Arkansas Archeological Society members, middle school students, and anyone else interested in archeology and having fun. The games consist of 3 events in which teams compete to show off their skills and knowledge in archeology-based games. The first is throwing a spear with an atlatl. This takes some skill, so most teams get together and practice before the event. Archeoletes throw for both distance and accuracy during the competition. The second event is the trivia contest. This event changes slightly each year based on the gameshow format that we choose, but archeoletes answer questions about archeology, important archeological sites, archeological ethics, and other topics related to the theme. The third event is the Excavation to Curation Obstacle course. The course changes slightly each year, but teams work together to make their way through the simulated stages of archeological research. Teams work together to earn the most points throughout the day to win the 3D printed trophy!

Community Archaeology Day
2026-10-10 12:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Indiana University of Pennsylvania, McElhanney Hall, 441 North Walk, Indiana, PA, 15705-0001, United States
The Department of Anthropology, Geospatial and Earth Sciences (AGES) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania will hold its FREE annual Community Archaeology Day on Saturday, October 10, from 12:00-3:00 PM. Interactive displays and hands-on activities will be held on the ground floor of McElhaney Hall and outside on the lawn adjacent to the building. Learn about the archaeology of Indiana County and try your hand at technologies such as spear throwing, flint knapping, and crafting pottery. Enjoy interactive games and mock excavations, touch artifacts from area archaeological sites, watch artifacts print in 3D, tour our archaeological laboratories, and watch metal detection and ground penetrating radar in action. A children’s activity room for kids (and the young at heart) will include crafting pottery using indigenous methods, stenciling “cave art”, wampum beading, and other fun activities for kids of all ages. Snacks provided.

AIA The Legacy of the Etruscans: Latium, Umbria & Tuscany tour
2026-10-12 - 2026-10-23 | VA
Discover the world of the ancient Etruscans, a pre-Roman civilization that flourished between the Tiber and Arno Rivers in what is now Tuscany during the first millennium B.C. (1000-100 B.C.). The extent of the impact that the Etruscans’ legacy had on the Greeks and Romans, through to our contemporary world, is still coming to light. Join Dr. Pieraccini and a small group of like-minded fellow travelers to explore and further understand the realm of the Etruscans.
Highlights include:
•The marvelous cities of Rome and Florence, plus journeys through spectacular countryside to lesser-visited medieval and Renaissance towns
•Outstanding Etruscan necropolises with brightly-painted scenes of feasting and dancing covering the walls of rock-cut chamber tombs, monumental tumuli, and house tombs. These include the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Cerveteri and Tarquinia, as well as Sovana with its Tomba Ildebranda
•Important Etruscan towns, including Volterra, which also boasts a charming historical center; and Orvieto, with its striking Etruscan acropolis
•Many splendid museums with unparalleled collections of Etruscan artifacts, such as Etruscan bronze sculptures, plus Phoenician gold and Greek vases obtained through extensive trade networks. These include the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia and Vatican City’s Gregorian Etruscan Museum
•Lectures, discussions, and the company of our expert AIA lecturer/host, Lisa Pieraccini
•Generous comfort at well-located, 4-star hotels; fine cuisine and wine; plus a special home-hosted dinner in Florence

Arkhaios Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Film Festival
2026-10-12 09:00 - 2026-11-18 00:00 (America/New_York) | VA
The multi-day Arkhaios Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Film Festival is an annual juried competition, part of Archaeology Month celebration. It is free, open to the public, and is an educational event showcasing the discovery of past cultures gained from ethnological or archaeological research, and illustrated through documentary films.
The Virtual Edition is an international online screening of all the Official Selection films. During the week of the Festival, there are several in-person Arkhaios Festivals in the US, showing the best films from the Arkhaios Official Selections.

International Archaeology Day with Australian Ambassador Mr. James Larsen
2026-10-13 18:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | The National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Parks S., New York, NY, 10003, United States
We feel privileged that His Excellency Mr. James Larsen, the Ambassador of Australia’s Mission to the United Nations, will address the National Arts Club on the occasion of International Archaeology Day, the committee’s most significant annual lecture of each series. Previous presentations have included Ambassadors and Consul Generals from Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Malta, Sweden, and Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Larsen discusses the incredible heritage and history of the Kakadu region in Australia’s Northern Territory. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kakadu National Park, inhabited by Aboriginal people for over 65,000 years, is recognized for both its outstanding natural ecosystems and its rich cultural landscape including one of the world’s greatest concentrations of rock art paintings.

AIA Life, Luxury & Leisure in Ancient Rome tour
2026-10-14 - 2026-10-25 | VA
Immerse yourself in the opulence and grandeur of ancient Rome while uncovering the secrets of daily life, the indulgence of luxury, and the pursuit of leisure that helped to define one of the most influential civilizations in history. Our adventure
begins in Rome, heart of the Roman Empire, where we witness the architectural marvels that stand as a testament to Rome’s engineering prowess. At the Baths of Caracalla, learn about the interesting Roman bathing culture and the significance of these
communal spaces in Roman society. Delve into the world of luxury in ancient Rome with visits to the opulent villa in Tivoli and the well-preserved remains of ancient cities frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Learn about the daily lives and
customs of the Romans through beautifully preserved frescoes and artifacts, as well as the exquisite art, landscaping, and leisure pursuits enjoyed by the Roman elite. Throughout the tour, archaeologist and professor Crispin Corrado will guide the group at many sites, offer several lectures, and be available to engage in discussions. Whether you are an avid archaeology or history enthusiast, or simply curious about one of history’s greatest civilizations, this journey will provide a deep understanding and appreciation of ancient Rome’s enduring legacy.
Highlights include:
• A custom-designed itinerary with five nights in central Rome, two nights in Naples, and three nights in Sorrento
• Visits to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
o Spend a full day exploring Rome’s ancient monuments, including the Roman Forum, the House of Augustus on the Palatine Hill, the Domus Aurea, and the Colosseum
o Enjoy a day trip to Tivoli for visits to Hadrian’s Villa, a 2nd-century A.D. complex; and the Villa d’Este, a Renaissance masterpiece of garden and villa architecture
o Explore Pompeii and Herculaneum, both of which were buried (and preserved) by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79; as well as Villa Poppea (Oplontis), an ancient villa with incredible wall paintings
• The collections of Rome’s Capitoline Museums, with magnificent Classical and Renaissance art; the awe-inspiring Pantheon; and the superb Naples Archaeological Museum
• Carefully selected, 4- and 5-star hotels
• Our group size is limited to 16, and you will also be accompanied by a professional tour manager, and expert local guides, who will handle the details so you can relax, experience, and learn.

Beyond Shipwrecks: Engaging the Past Across the Generations
2026-10-15 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Foster Auditorium, Paterno Library, the Pennsylvania State University, 201 Old Main, University Park, PA, 16802, United States

Fort Vancouver and the Historical Archaeology of the Pacific Northwest
2026-10-15 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W 1st Ave, Spokane, WA, 99201, United States
Please join us for a lecture by Dr. Doug Wilson.
Abstract:
This talk will illuminate Fort Vancouver’s central role in the colonial history of the Pacific Northwest seen through the lens of historical archaeology. Wilson will illuminate the extraordinary confluence of places, people and conflict that has shaped our region. Artifacts, belongings, and landscapes are contrasted with the documentary record to explore the critical place of Indigenous peoples and Immigrant groups in the region’s history. This talk will touch on early exploration, including colonial forts and explorer’s campsites, including Spokane House, and highlight the ongoing important connections between historic places and modern peoples.

International Archaeology Day Fair
2026-10-17 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Lowry Mall, 513 South Ninth Street, Columbia, MO, 65201, United States
The Central Missouri (Columbia) Society of the AIA will be hosting its annual International Archaeology Day Fair. Come learn about archaeology with professors, staff, and students in the Classics, Archaeology, and Religion & Anthropology Department as well as the Museum of Art and Archaeology!

Marking the Flesh: Revealing the Tattoo Practices of the Nile Valley
2026-10-18 12:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | VA
Martha Sharp Joukowsky Lectureships
Time and Location TBA

Sex in the Roman Arena
2026-10-18 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Mitchell Hall, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3202 Downer Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53211, United States

A Bath for No One: Cosa’s Public Bathhouse and its Role in Reassessing Life in a Roman Town
2026-10-20 19:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Semans Auditorium (Room 117), Belk Visual Arts Center, 315 N. Main St., Davidson, NC, 28036, United States
A lecture by Allison Smith (Davidson College)

October AIA Archaeology Hour with Briana Pobiner: What was the REAL Paleodiet?
2026-10-21 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Join the AIA as Briana Pobiner (Smithsonian) presents the first AIA Archaeology Hour talk the International Archaeology Day 2026 AIA Archaeology Hour talk : “What was the REAL Paleodiet?”
This presentation will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 8pm Eastern/7pm Central/6pm Mountain/5pm Pacific.
Register Here!
This lecture will also be available in American Sign Language (ASL). ASL interpretation will be provided by Trail Blazing Interpreters. Due to Zoom limitations on mobile devices and tablets, participants interested in accessing ASL interpretation should log in using the desktop version of Zoom.

Exploring Hopi Yellow Ware Pottery
2026-10-22 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Denver) | Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, 500 University Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106, United States
Dr. Kelley Hays-Gilpin (Museum of Northern Arizona) + Bobby Silas (National Park Service)
Hopi potter and Park Ranger at Kuaua Ruins (Coronado Historic Site) Bobby Silas and Museum of Northern Arizona Curator Dr. Kelley Hays-Gilpin explore the deep history of Hopi pottery traditions, from museum collections to contemporary potters’ expertise. Many unique aspects enliven stories from two millennia of continuous tradition, such as technical changes and challenges with paint recipes, coal-firing, innovative vessel forms, and meaningful painted designs. In-person lecture also offered on Zoom.

Archaeology under the Volcano: Six Thousand Years of Human History on the Caribbean Island of Montserrat
2026-10-22 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) | VA
Location TBA

Healthmaking in the Past: What ancient Egyptians can teach us about living healthier lives
2026-10-22 19:30 - 21:30 (Pacific/Honolulu) | Art Auditorium, Art Building University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2500 Campus Rd, Honolulu, HI, 96822, United States
Martha Sharp Joukowsky Lecture

Michigan Archaeology Day
2026-10-24 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Michigan History Center, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI, 48915, United States
Michigan Archaeology Day returns to the Michigan History Center on Saturday, October 24, 2026. This exciting annual event is your chance to talk with archaeologists about investigations and artifacts that tell the story of 14,000 years of Michigan history! From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., archaeologists and experts in related fields will be stationed throughout the first and second floors of the museum where they will tell you about their research, show you some artifacts they have found and answer your questions. Plus, there will be many hands-on activities. More details to come on October 1. This all-ages annual event is free, and parking is too.

Petra (Jordan): A Wonder of the World Between a Rock and a Hard Place
2026-10-24 18:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Southern Methodist University, Moody Hall Auditorium, Airline Rd, Dallas, TX, 75205, United States

Isis, Mistress of the Southern Lands: From Heliodorus’ Aethiopica to Meroe, an ancient kingdom on the Nile
2026-10-27 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | VA
Martha Sharp Joukowsky Lectureships
Location TBA

Bundles of Meaning: Interpreting Rock Art Through Indigenous Knowledge
2026-10-29 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Denver) | https://www.archaeological.org/event/bundles-of-meaning-interpreting-rock-art-through-indigenous-knowledge/
Doris Z. Stone New World Archaeology Lectures
Virtual event, registration to be posted.

Buried in Enemy Territory: A Spartan Tomb in Athens and the Politics of Commemoration
2026-10-29 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | VA
Lecture will take place at Concordia University, exact location TBA.
