Linking archaeology and material studies through multidisciplinary collaboration

About Us

In 2012 we launched the Cornell Institute of Archaeology and Material Studies (CIAMS), a unique initiative that links archaeology and material studies through multidisciplinary collaboration among a wide range of departments and units. The new Institute grows out of Cornell’s long-standing Archaeology Program. Founded in 1967, the Archaeology Program is one of the few entities in the United States to offer both an undergraduate major and master’s degree in archaeology. We seek to combine theory and method, practice and analysis.

Explore Our Program

Administration and Contacts History of CIAMS Academic Programs Faculty Profiles

Cornell branded notebook with archaeological digging tools

Giving to CIAMS:

Archaeology has always depended on private and public philanthropy. You can support a variety of excavations, student research, and Cornell archaeology generally, with your tax deductible, charitable donation. Whether you’re a philanthropist, charity, parent or just concerned individual who wants to invest in the future of education and research while discovering the past, giving is easy by following this link:

Click here to support CIAMS archaeology

Archaeology News

Image of hull of ancient ship — The Kyrenia was the first major Greek Hellenistic-period ship to be found with a largely intact hull. It was excavated and reassembled for scientific study. Kyrenia Ship Excavations/Provided

Manning honored for contributions to archaeology

Sturt Manning, Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences in Classics, received the P. E. MacAllister Field Archaeology Award at the Annual Meetings of the American Society of Overseas Research (ASOR) in Boston in November.

A Brief Look at a Select Glass Jar Lid from Community Excavations at Ithaca’s St. James AME Zion Church

CIAMS M.A. student, Li Hayes, shares what we can learn from a fragment of a fruit canning jar lid.

Stitch by Stitch: Uncovering the Past Through Textiles

CIAMS M.A. student, Sarah Orsinger, analyzes the largest textile found to date at St. James AME Zion Church.

Doing Archaeology of the Spiritual

CIAMS M.A. student, Haley Stuckey, reflects on excavating at St. James AME Zion Church.

A Historical Analysis of the Intact Royal Salad Dressing Bottle Found at Ithaca’s St. James AME Zion Church

CIAMS M.A. student, David Dishman, analyzes an intact glass bottle that was recovered from St. James AME Zion Church.

Adam Smith testifying for the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the United States Congress — Prof. Adam T. Smith testifying for the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the United States Congress

CIAMS Director Presents on the Destruction of Armenian Cultural Heritage by Azerbaijan

On September 19, 2024, Prof. Adam T. Smith (Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences in Anthropology, Director of CIAMS, and Co-director of Caucasus Heritage Watch) presented testimony to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the United States Congress. Smith’s testimony was part of a hearin...

The new M.A. Students — CIAMS' new M.A. students (from left to right: Daniel Osborne, Haley Stuckey, Holly Sexton, Sarah Orsinger, Lauren Hlister, Li Hayes, David Dishman, Marissa Gershowitz)

CIAMS Welcomes its New Students

CIAMS welcomes its new graduate students.

Almonds, pottery and wood help date famed Kyrenia shipwreck

The Cornell Tree-Ring Laboratory identified the likeliest timeline of the Hellenistic-era ship's sinking as between 296-271 BCE, with a strong probability it occurred between 286-272 BCE.

More News

Alumni Spotlight: Samuel Disotell

Congratulations to former CIAMS M.A. student Samuel Disotell (M.A. '21), who successfully defended his master's thesis this past December. Sam's thesis is titled, "An Analysis of Faunal Materials From the White Springs Site, a 17th-18th Century Seneca Town in Upstate New York." Sam's research interests are in zooarchaeology; ritual, ceremony and feasting; inequality; and Neolithic Europe. Sam was also a founding member of the Archaeological Science Group at Cornell, one of two graduate groups affiliated with CIAMS.

Click here to explore profiles of our current CIAMS graduate students, and here to view a list of our CIAMS alumni and their thesis and dissertation titles.