September  18, 2009

Uncovering mysteries of the past

Elizabeth Johnson is a senior classics and religion major from Rockton, Illinois. This past summer, she worked on the Gabii Project, an archaeological dig in Italy.

Liz Johnson

Many of you might not be familiar with the discipline of classics. It is an interdisciplinary field in which students study the languages, philosophies, religions, art, history and cultures of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Studying ancient civilizations continually provides insight into the past and assists in solving some of the world's greatest mysteries. It was because of my love of history that I was able to spend this past summer in Italy, performing work I never imagined: I helped excavate the ruins of an ancient Roman city.

A few years ago, another Augustana student participated in an archaeological dig and gave a presentation at a classics dinner. From that point forward, I focused my studies on preparing myself for a similar experience. Through the Archeological Institute of America, I was able to find the Gabii Project dig in Italy. I left in late-June and spent five weeks pick-axing, shoveling and wheel-barrowing Italian dirt. We worked from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day in temperatures ranging from 95 to 107 degrees. There was rarely a cloud in the sky, and relief came only after a shower. Every night as the sun set, we ate dinner at a restaurant overlooking Rome. It was a priceless experience.

We were helping a team of expert archaeologists uncover the ancient Roman city of Gabii. Altogether, there were over 70 members of the team, each with an integral part to play. I had no previous archaeological experience and was nervous about being the "low man on the totem pole," but I quickly realized my Augustana education had more than prepared me for my time in Gabii.

Many of the students came from prestigious programs, such as Harvard, Princeton, Cincinnati and the University of Michigan. I was forced to put my liberal arts education to the test. I am not expertly versed in ancient Roman architecture, yet I was prepared to think and respond critically to the questions being posed. My time at Augustana has taught me to think critically, analyze all possible solutions and never forget to ask questions. One thing an education in classics teaches you is that you do not know everything. It is a humbling experience, and being at Gabii mirrored my education in many ways.

While being a classics major helped, it was not what got me a spot on that team at Gabii. It was quality of my education, which was demonstrated in my writing, my grades and my extra-curricular activities. Without Augustana, I would not have spent five weeks working on an archaeological dig in Italy, and I am so grateful for the opportunity.

Interested in archaeology?

Augustana's Classics Department will be hosting a lecture on Tuesday, September 29, featuring University of Georgia associate professor of classics Naomi J. Norman, who will discuss the cities, villages and farms established in North Africa during the Roman period. Dr. Norman specializes in Greek and Roman architecture, archaeology of the colonies and new approaches to archaeology. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Archaeology and has a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. The lecture, which is supported by the Harry S.B. Johnson Classics Endowment, begins at 7:30 p.m. in Room 102 of the Science Building. It is free and open to the public.