December 16, 2024
Congratulations to the individuals, projects, and publications that received AIA Awards. They will be formally recognized at the 2025 AIA Awards Ceremony, which will take place during the 126th Annual Meeting. We have contacted this year’s winners to gather insights about their projects, experiences, and what inspired them to pursue a career in archaeology.
Jodi Magness (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Award: Martha and Artemis Joukowsky Distinguished Service Award
What drew you to archaeology?
I wanted to be an archaeologist since I was 12 years old, thanks to a 7th grade history teacher who introduced us to ancient Greece. At that time, I was also finding fossils of shells at Girl Scout camp in the Pocono Mountains. Since then, I wanted to be an archaeologist, and my interest always focused on the classical world.
Tell us about your history with the AIA:
I have been a member of the AIA since graduate school (in the 80s). I have served as President of the Boston and North Carolina Societies; I have been a member of the Governing Board and served on numerous committees; I received the 2008 AIA Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching; and I served as First Vice-President, and then President, of the AIA. I am now an Honorary President.
What’s next for you professionally?
I plan to continue teaching and doing research. The field work part of my current excavations (at Huqoq in Israel) ended in summer 2023 and my team and I are now preparing the publication of the final report.
What is a moment that stands out in the time you’ve volunteered with or represented the AIA?
Being President (2017-2020) was both the most challenging and rewarding part of my experiences with the AIA.
What’s the best part about being a member of an AIA Society?
For me the best part is the interaction and sense of community with other archaeologists in the area.
Questions? Learn more about AIA Awards here or reach out to awards@archaeological.org
