July 23, 2021
This month, we’re delighted to spotlight Athens Society President Ervan Garrison. Ervan has been involved with the Athens Society for nearly 30 years. In addition to his hard work maintaining the Society, he’s also a Professor of Anthropology and Geology at the University of Georgia. A two-time former Head of the Department of Anthropology, his research focuses on the application of geoarchaeological methods to the study of prehistory. In July 2020, he received a grant from the National Science Foundation for his underwater archaeology project titled “A Method for Assessing Scour Nuclei in US Inner-to-Mid Continental Shelf.” To learn more about that project, click here.
On top of his many accomplishments, Ervan is also a recognized expert in the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act in the state of Georgia and in 2008 he led the UGA team that located the footprint of the Cherokee Female Seminary in Park Hill, OK.
We asked Ervan some questions about his involvement with the AIA and we’re excited for you to read his words!
What interests you about archaeology?
Archaeology originally attracted me as a scientist in training at the University of Arkansas. Age determination, buried site detection, were all things I had been trained to do. In graduate school and beyond I used these skill sets in the practice of archaeology. As an educator, I am able to pass these along to prospective, future archaeologists.
How did you find out about the AIA?
AIA was a “Classical” entity when I was in grad school. My training included Classical Studies so I was introduced to the organization, but I did not fully participate until I came to the University of Georgia and became involved with our local Society.
What made you decide to get more involved with the Athens Society?
My involvement with the Athens Society was a natural outgrowth of my interaction with my UGA colleagues. They involved me in the Society’s activities and, eventually, I became a Society Officer. My involvement has stretched to almost 30 years.
