{"id":1082,"date":"2024-05-31T11:54:42","date_gmt":"2024-05-31T11:54:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/arch\/?page_id=1082"},"modified":"2024-06-28T00:06:19","modified_gmt":"2024-06-28T00:06:19","slug":"reflections","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/arch\/reflections\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Senior Reflection
\nBy Laura Findlay<\/h3>\n

I am a graduating senior (\u201824) pursuing a dual degree with a B.A. in Archaeology and a Master\u2019s in Visual Anthropology.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I participated in the<\/span> Maymester course ARCG 305L Virtual and Digital Culture, Heritage and Archaeolo<\/span>gy on USC Dornsife\u2019s<\/span> Catalina Island campus. I got to freedive <\/span>down to see <\/span>shipwrecks and other structures off of the coast of Catalina Island<\/span> and learned to use a submersible camera which supports archaeologists in making digital photogrammetric models of submerged heritage. This allows f<\/span>or 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\u2019s Institute. During the prior year, I also had the opportunity to live and study at this incredible place, Catalina Island.<\/span> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the summer of 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to participate as an intern on the <\/span>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\u2019s 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\u2019s breathtaking cultural heritage sites, engaged with locals, and immersed myself in local culture.<\/span><\/p>\n

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!<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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