SPEAKER: Allison Mickel, H. Bruce McEver Chair in Archaeological Science and Technologies, School of History and Sociology, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts

Abstract: Archaeology is often considered to be about digging in the dirt. What could be less technological? But advances in technologies over the last 100 years have rocketed forward the scientific practice of archaeology. In this talk, GT's McEver Chair of Archaeology Allison Mickel will present the achievements of this century of technological advancements for archaeology and cultural heritage. More importantly, she will explore directions that the field is likely to move in over future decades, inviting collaboration across disciplines from you (yes you!), the audience.

Bio: Allison Mickel is the inaugural H. Bruce McEver Chair of Archaeological Science and Technologies at Georgia Tech, where she has arrived to build the Institute's first-ever archaeology program. Her research focuses on how archaeological work affects the communities that live on or near archaeological sites, particularly in the Middle East. She is the author of "Why Those Who Shovel Are Silent: A History of Local Archaeological Labor and Knowledge," which recovers the unrecorded expertise of locally-hired laborers at long-running archaeological projects in Jordan and Turkey. She is currently engaged in two projects in Atlanta focused on restorative history and public engagement, as well as a book project on current efforts to organize for workers' rights in Jordanian archaeology. She is also an active public anthropologist, writing for newspapers and online platforms, volunteering with the organization Skype a Scientist, reviewing educational material for organizations like the Boy Scouts of America, and organizing annual outreach events with local public schools for Anthropology Day.

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IPaT: GVU Lunch Lecture Series