SFU Archaeology

Ea-nāṣir has a future in tech, not just copper.

Godot natively supports coding in Sumero-Akkadian Cuneiform, if you needed another reason to switch game engines Take cognizance that (from now on) I will not accept here any code that is not of fine quality.

You are welcomed to join the Current and Past Research at Riparo l’Oscurusciuto (Apulia, southern Italy) Meeting.
August 4-5, 8:45am-12pm, @ Halpern Centre 126 & Online
August 4 meeting link: https://sfu.zoom.us/j/88480883863
August 5 meeting link: https://sfu.zoom.us/j/81374805037

We know as archaeologists you all get to go to these amazing places all summer to do field work, visit museums and historical sites, or labs to collect data, while we envy you from our offices. So, we want to hear from you, and you might just win some money doing it!

Drop a postcard to the General Office or Send us a postcard from wherever you are (even Vancouver counts), include your name and SFU email address, with a little note about what cool archaeology things you are up to this summer by September 11th, 2026.
We will draw 3 lucky winners. Prizes include gift cards valued at $50-$100.

*Open to all members and affiliates of the Department of Archaeology.
Please take a photo of your stamped postcard before mailing it as proof of postage in case of delivery delays or missing.

Do you have any SFU Archaeology Swag?
Post a photo of you and/or your team wearing /using the SFU Archaeology Swag & Tag us on SFU Archaeology or IG By September 11th, 2026.
Automatically, you will be entered to win a prize pack valued at $50-$100, including a New Arrival HOODIE!

We’re proud to announce that Sarah Himes has received the Faculty of Environment TA Teaching Award, an honour echoed perfectly by the words of those who work and learn alongside her.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with students enthusiastic about learning geoarchaeology… it’s the student energy that makes teaching it so enjoyable.”
Sarah’s passion for teaching is matched only by the impact she has on those around her. Her teaching is grounded in patience, clarity, and genuine compassion. As one reference beautifully put it, she supports students “according to their individual needs — arguably the most challenging aspect of being an instructor.” Students say she “goes far beyond the basic expectations of a TA.” Her micromorphology lab design “significantly enriched the course content,” and she creates a space where students “feel comfortable asking questions.”
As Sarah puts it, TA‑ships at SFU have helped her develop “a teaching style that encourages student engagement through active learning,” and she is “truly honored by the recognition and grateful to work with amazing students in a department that prioritizes teaching experience.”
A well‑deserved celebration for someone who elevates every learner she meets.

Members of the Simon Fraser University Ancient DNA Lab traveled to Canmore, Alberta, to share their research at the 2026 Canadian Archaeology Association (CAA) Annual Meeting.
Graduate students Willem, Genevieve, and Yuxin hosted and presented at the session "Biomolecular Archaeology in Conservation." Presenters explored how biomolecular techniques such as ancient DNA, ZooMS, and stable isotopes can track past ecosystems to inform modern habitat restoration, species recovery, and sustainable resource management.
The undergraduate lab members Emmet, Jiawei, Alpha, and Yael participated in a special poster session honoring archaeologist Janet Blakey. They presented independent research developed during their ARCH 483 lab training, covering topics including Pacific salmon, Caribbean birds, Caribbean white-tailed deer, and Mayan turtles.

SFU Archaeology students Jo, Kayla, and Chelsea spent their last lab day at Golemo Gradiste preparing our three charcoal samples to be sent off for C14 dating. These samples were taken from several different burned roof beams that had collapsed in their trench. SFU Global Humanities SNF Centre for Hellenic Studies at SFU

Last Friday, the SFU team at Golemo Gradište received a visit from Dr. Dave Burley. He joined Dr. Sabrina Higgins, our current undergraduate students Kayla Blake, Jo Hughes, and Chelsea Noble, SFU Archaeology PhD candidate Goran Sanev (and co-director of the project), and SFU alumni Sarah Grenier, Megan Duncan, and Madison Poole for a day at the site. It was a wonderful chance to showcase the project. SFU Global Humanities SNF Centre for Hellenic Studies at SFU

SFU student Kayla Blake excavated a collapsed brick and mortar arch last week at the site of Golemo Gradište in North Macedonia, where she is volunteering with Dr. Sabrina Higgins. SFU Global Humanities SNF Centre for Hellenic Studies at SFU