Claire Zak

Claire earned her BAs in Archaeology and Classics from Sweet Briar College in 2018 (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa). In 2021 she completed her MA degree at Texas A&M University after digitally recording three 20th-century Sicilian tuna fishing boats. Currently she is researching ancient Mediterranean beekeeping and the honey trade along maritime trade routes for her dissertation under Debbie Carlson. Her other intellectual diversions include the role of pigments and the use of eyes as symbolism in Classical art. Claire was trained in terrestrial fieldwork and ceramic analysis in southeastern Kazakhstan, Roman mosaic conservation in central Italy under the Centro di Conservazione Archeologica, and nautical fieldwork with the Marzamemi Maritime Heritage Project in Sicily. During the summer of 2022, she participated in the Bronze Age shipwreck excavation at Kumluca, Turkey with the Institute of Nautical Archaeology. During the 2023-2024 year Claire received a PEO Scholar Award. In 2023 Claire attended the Summer Session of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens and will be a Regular Member at the ASCSA for the 2024-2025 year. Outside of academia, she enjoys being outdoors as much as possible (especially getting distracted by fun insects, plants, and rocks!), devouring a good book or homemade meal, and planning a new travel adventure.

Advisor: Dr. Deborah Carlson

First Year in the Program: 2018