ASOR FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
AMANDA LANHAM
What was your most memorable moment during the excavation season you participated in?
By far the most exciting moment for me during the 2009 season at Tell Tayinat came when we uncovered a large cuneiform tablet in my square. We have subsequently learned that the tablet is an loyalty treaty from the reign of the Assyrian king Esarhaddon and it offers important insight into the relationship between Patina/Unqi and Assyria during the period of Assyrian imperial control.
What advice would you give a fellow recipient?
My suggestion, particularly for young archaeologists with less field experience, would be to be flexible and patient. Archaeological field work can be incredibly rewarding, but there are often unexpected issues that you have to deal with throughout the season. If you go into the field without preconceived notions about what the season will bring and maintain an open mind, you are sure to have a successful season.
Are you still affiliated with ASOR as a member?
I am a PhD candidate at an ASOR member school. I continue to participate by attending the annual meetings and hope to present my own research (should my abstract be accepted), later this year.
What is the current status of your career or education (or other project)?
I am in the midst of dissertation writing and hope to complete my degree by early in 2015.
How did the fellowship help you with your career?
The Heritage fellowship allowed me to continue participating in the Tell Tayinat Archaeological Project. As an art historian, this field work afforded me the opportunity to gain valuable skills, forward my dissertation, and create a network of friends and colleagues that have enriched my life both personally and professionally.
