Capitol Archaeological Institute

The George Washington University Capitol Archaeological Institute is a recently founded American archaeological research and educational institute in Washington, D.C. It was formally opened on 7 October 2010 at the George Washington University at the Elliott School of International Affairs. The current director and founder of the institute is Professor Eric H. Cline, who is also head of the university's Department of Classical and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. It is a part of the university's Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.

Misson

According to Dr. Cline, the institute is intended to take advantage of the political and cultural wealth offered by the city. “The GW Capitol Archaeological Institute is poised to take advantage of the deep expertise in our own back yard, especially resources available through foreign embassies, government and international agencies, cultural institutions and museums. The confluence of resources here in Washington, D.C., is unparalleled. This is our opportunity to advance archaeological research initiatives and facilitate a global community of academics, politicians, diplomats and business leaders.” ^[1]

Notable Speakers

The Institute plans to hold guest lectures by numerous archaeologists of international renown.^[2] The first guest speaker was Dr. Zahi Hawass, the Egyptian Vice Minister of Culture and Head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, who signed the charter opening the institute along with Professor Cline and the University President, Stephen Knapp.^[3]

The next guest speaker will be Dr. Sophocles Hadjisavvas, former director of the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus, on 3 November 2010, speaking about the history of Cyprus. This is related to a similar exhibit at the National Museum of Natural History.^[4]

Faculty

The current faculty includes: New World Archaeologist, Professor Jeffrey P. Blomster, Anthropologist, Professor Alison S. Brooks, New World Archaeologist, Dr. Linda A. Brown, Bronze and Iron Age Archaeologist, Historian and Director of the Institute, Professor Eric H. Cline, City Archaeologist of Alexandria, VA, Dr. Pamela Cressey, Classical Archaeologist, Dr. Elise A. Friedland, Celtic Archaeologist, Dr. Susan A. Johnston, Sub-Saharan Africa Archaeologist, Professor Stephen C. Lubkemann, and Assistant Professor of Classics, Dr. Andrew M. Smith II. Deborah Lehr is chairwoman of the institute.^[5]

The Institute hopes that other archaeologists from different organisations in the area, around the country and around the world will join the institute and contribute to its growth, with the eventual goal being to turn the Institute into a national and international center for archaeological research and education.^[6]

Institute Projects

The Institute currently has five official ongoing faculty projects with more promised soon. These include the current Tel Megiddo Expedition in consortium with Tel Aviv University, and The Tel Kabri Expedition in partnership with Haifa University, both in Israel; the Bir Madkhur Project in Jorda, the Smithsonian Institution's Human Origins Program, and Archaeology of Alexandria in Virginia.^[7]

References

External links

• Official Site - Under Construction
• The Megiddo Expedition
• The Tel Kabri 2011 Expedition
• The Bir Madkhur Project
• SI Human Origins Program
• Alexandria Archaeology

Coordinates: 38°53′58″N 77°02′54″W / 38.89953°N 77.04832°W / 38.89953; -77.04832