Senior Reflection
By Laura Findlay

I am a graduating senior (‘24) pursuing a dual degree with a B.A. in Archaeology and a Master’s in Visual Anthropology. 

I participated in the Maymester course ARCG 305L Virtual and Digital Culture, Heritage and Archaeology on USC Dornsife’s Catalina Island campus. I got to freedive down to see shipwrecks and other structures off of the coast of Catalina Island and learned to use a submersible camera which supports archaeologists in making digital photogrammetric models of submerged heritage. This allows for broader public access to these largely inaccessible sites. This course is ultimately what led me to pursue my AAUS Scientific Diver authorization, which I am now in the process of completing through USC Wrigley’s Institute. During the prior year, I also had the opportunity to live and study at this incredible place, Catalina Island. My first Maymester course was ARCG 303g, Exploring Ancient Ways of Living: Experimental Archaeology. Highlights of this class for me included learning techniques of experimental and indigenous archaeology and archaeological ethics.

Over the summer of 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to participate as an intern on the Ramesses III (KV11) Publication and Conservation project based in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt. Thanks to the generous support of the USC Africa Fund and the Bender-Schneidman Award, I had the incredible opportunity to work in a royal tomb in the Valley of the Kings as a student intern this past summer and winter field seasons. In doing so, I assisted the project by acting as a lead find processor where I assigned unique find numbers to artifacts, recorded them, and stored them. I also combined my interests in archaeology and visual anthropology by filming, editing, and screening short field season films for the project’s records! Through my work on the KV11 team, I have gained crucial skills in using archaeological programs, and hands-on skills such as object drawing, find processing, and surveying. On my days off, I visited Egypt’s breathtaking cultural heritage sites, engaged with locals, and immersed myself in local culture.

My time spent in the Middle East this past year has inspired me to learn Arabic. I am glad to say that I am a Critical Language Scholarship finalist, and will be studying in Amman, Jordan this summer after graduation!

After graduation, I also plan to return to continue my work in the Valley of the Kings during upcoming field seasons and use my Renaissance Scholar Prize to continue further studies in archaeology.

Over my time at USC, I have gotten a real feel for just how varied archaeological work is and have acquired many dynamic skills and opportunities!