We will explore the diverse approaches to archiving and contextualizing ancient materials in research. Points of discussion include the management of asteroid samples, cataloging of museum specimens, and unearthing of archeological materials. We will share insights gained from collaborating with experts across various fields, emphasizing how these experiences have enriched our understanding and boosted our confidence in our work. Through these experiences, we have broadened our understanding of our respective fields and have contributed to a greater body of knowledge.

Moderator: Heather Hamilton, Microscopy Facility Director

Digging into the 8th Century BCE: Etruscan Archaeology in Rural Italy
Gwen Werth ’25, Classical Studies major & Biology minor

Resources Hidden Under Layers of Dust: Story and Legacy of Natural History Collections at Mount Holyoke College
Kayleigh Lovell ’26, Biology major & Five College Coastal and Marine Science minor

Artifacts and Analysis: Economic Perspectives in Archaeology
Jehan Ares ’26, Economics & German double major

Communication and Collection: Reflections on a NASA Internship
Edith Townsend-Cardosi ’26, Geology & Geography double major

Speaker name: Gwen Werth
Title: Digging into the 8th Century BCE: Etruscan Archaeology in Rural Italy
My presentation will reflect my time working as a student archaeologist at the Poggio Civitate Archaeological Field School in Murlo, Italy. As someone who is deeply interested in exploring ancient civilizations, especially in the Mediterranean region, this opportunity allowed me to practice hands on archaeological methods and work with previously undiscovered materials dating back to the 8th century BCE. I learned how to properly excavate and identify materials from preestablished trenches, as well as how to create and document new trenches. I also learned how to clean and conserve the delicate ancient artifacts we discovered — including pottery shards, terracotta tiles, hardened plaster, and animal bones. This experience greatly affected me; in fact, it helped me cement my decision to further pursue an education and a career in archaeology.

Speaker name: Kayleigh Lovell
Title: Resources Hidden Under Layers of Dust: Story and Legacy of Natural History Collections at Mount Holyoke College
In my presentation, I will expand upon and unfold my story of working with the Natural History Collection on Mount Holyoke College’s campus along with discussing a bit about Cornelia Clapp’s legacy with the Natural History Collections as a whole. During the summer as a research and collection assistant, I had worked towards ameliorating and restoring the Wet Specimen Collection as well as contextualizing the whole of MHC’s Natural History Collections to better understand what I was handling and responsible for in context of the institution. Through this experience, I gained various skills to work in lab spaces and knowledge of many resources to do research that I didn’t initially realize the importance of within academics and didn’t originally see the use of.

Speaker name: Jehan Ares
Title: Artifacts and Analysis: Economic Perspectives in Archaeology
“This presentation aims to explore the intersection of archaeology and economics through the unique experiences of an economics major who participated in an archeological dig. Insights gained from first-hand involvement in the excavation process will be shared to highlight the importance of economic factors in interpreting artifacts and learning about trade networks. This presentation hopes to foster a dialogue between disciplines, allowing attendees to gain a broader perspective on the value of interdisciplinary approaches in uncovering the complexities of ancient civilizations.”

Speaker name: Edie Townsend-Cardosi ’26
Title: Communication and Collection: Reflections on a NASA Internship
I discuss the experiences gained as part of an internship studying samples delivered as part of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission. The main focus of this talk will be skills that contribute to a successful internship in the physical sciences and advice on navigating independent research. Highlights include data collection, reference research, and how the same idea can be best communicated in different ways to different audiences.