Maya Archaeologist Ben Thomas Visits UE

Last Thursday (Feb. 23) Maya archaeologist Ben Thomas spent the day at UE. Dr. Thomas is the Director of Programs at the Archaeological Institute of America and an assistant professor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Dr. Thomas met with over 40 students in a number of small groups throughout the day to discuss everything from excavating in the jungle to the end of the Maya calendar in 2012 to careers in archaeology outside of academia, museums, and CRM. In the evening he gave a lecture to a packed house of over 120 people from both campus and Evansville about his research in caves along the Sibun River Valley of Belize. His explanations of the project’s goals and findings were laced with stories about the rigors and dangers of fieldwork in the jungle, including his encounters with a creature known in Belize as the “assassin bug.” All in all it was a great visit; Dr. Thomas had a wonderful time learning about our program and students and the students enjoyed discovering facets of archaeology about which they do not normally hear.

Ben Thomas to lecture on Maya archaeology in Belize

Dr. Ben Thomas, assistant professor at the Berklee College of Music and Program Director for the Archaeological Institute of America, will present "Caves, Chocolate, and Christianity: Maya Archaeology in Belize" on Thursday February 23 at 7:00 pm in the Schroeder Family School of Business Administration Building 170.  Dr. Thomas will speak on his six-year archaeological survey at the Sibun River in Belize.  All are invited to attend!

Events at the Reitz Home Museum

We are pleased that the Reitz Home Museum is showcasing the research of departmental faculty and students and the good work of departmental interns at the museum this semester.

February 9-26.  Antique Valentines are on display at the Reitz Home: http://tristatehomepage.com/fulltext?nxd_id=487102.  Senior archaeology major Elizabeth Bostelman was one of the curators of this exhibit. 

On February 20, Associate Professor of Art History Heidi Strobel will present "The Art of Mary Linwood" at 7:00 pm in the Carriage House.  This talk is based on Dr. Strobel's research of British textile artist Mary Linwood (1755-1845). 

On March 19, senior archaeology and art history major Leah Thomas will present "The Art of 18th Century Dining" at 7:00 pm in the Carriage House.  This presentation is based on research Leah conducted in summer 2011 while interning at George Washington's Mount Vernon, VA. 

Three UE Archaeology and Art History Majors present at Phi Alpha Theta Biennial Convention

Archaeology and Art History seniors Rachel Lawrence, Emily Mella and Leah Thomas presented their original research at the Phi Alpha Theta (History Honor Society) Bienniel Convention in Orlando, FL January 3-7, 2012. 

Leah (left rear) and Emily (right) enjoying Orlando when not in conference sessions.

Rachel presented a paper entitled "Vlad the Impaler: Incidents of an Unlikely Idol," Emily presented "The Development of European Religious Architecture," and Leah presented "The Art of 18th Century Dining."  Congratulations to these three members of the class of 2012!


Rachel gives her presentation at Phi Alpha Theta.

Dr. Amanuel Beyin to speak on February 9

Dr. Amanuel Beyin will give a presentation entitled "Recent Archaeological Explorations Along the Red Sea Coast of Eritrea and Lake Turkana (Northern Kenya)" on Thursday February 9, 7:00-8:00 in SOBA 273.  Dr. Beyin is a specialist in Paleolithic archaeology and African prehistory, and his interests include coastal archaeology, geoarchaeology, lithic technology, and early human dispersals out of Africa.  For more information about Dr. Beyin and his research, visit his website.