April 22, 2024
To celebrate our 2024-2025 Grant recipients, we reached out to our winners to learn about their projects and their experiences in archaeology. We’re excited for you to meet Dr. Dan Plekhov, this year’s Julie Herzig Desnick Endowment For Archaeological Field Surveys Grant recipient.
The Archaeology of Portugal Fellowship Recipient: Dr. Daniel Plekhov; Portland State University
How do landscapes and changing political powers shape their inhabitants? With a 2024 grant from the Julie Herzig Desnick Endowment Fund, Dr. Daniel Plekhov and his colleagues will begin a survey project in the southern Municipality of Ulqin, Montenegro to investigate long-term historical change in population distribution across landscape. Dr. Plekhov and his team will partner with the Museum of Local History in Ulqin to complete the first comprehensive map of archaeological and historic sites in the Municipality. Using mapping methods such as drone photogrammetry, remote sensing, and terrestrial LiDAR, as well as surface finds from archaeological sites, the team will document sites dating from early Neolithic period to Medieval structures, to the many states spanning the Roman Empire through communist Yugoslavia. With this deeper understanding of the landscape, Dr. Plekhov and his team will ask questions about why the sites are located where they are, how the people living there responded to the changing political forces over time, and how the historical factors might be influencing current trends in the region’s populations.
How did you get your start in archaeology?
I first majored in Archaeology as an undergraduate at Dickinson College, and did my first fieldwork in Greece.
Where in the world has archaeology brought you (fieldwork, research, conference travel, etc.)?
I’ve done fieldwork in Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Peru, and the United States!
What is one of the most memorable things that has happened to you in the field?
It’s hard to pick the most memorable, but excavating in Jordan while surrounded by grazing camels is definitely up there!
How has the AIA contributed to your success/professional goals?
Through the AIA I have had the opportunity to attend the annual meetings, which have been excellent opportunities to hear new research, connect with new colleagues, and catch-up with old friends.
John’s project, made possible by donors like you, will contribute significantly to understanding past peoples’ biocultural diversity and behaviors. This technology also offers an alternative, non-destructive solution for conducting these analyses. Your contribution can help fund groundbreaking research like John’s and help send archaeologists into the field.
Learn more about what Fellowship opportunities are available through the AIA or reach out to our Programs and Professional Services Coordinator, Kati Albert at kalbert@archaeological.org.
