Archeology may be the study of our past, but we are using increasingly futuristic techniques and technologies to reveal these long-ago cultures. Fumie Iizuka, assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, shares her journey to studying the relationship between pottery and ancient cultures, describes some of the techniques she uses in the field, and discusses how being a member of ACerS has benefited her research.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Fumie Iizuka is assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She studies the climate and ecosystem factors that led hunter-gatherers and early farmers to adopt pottery, with a focus on Eastern Eurasia. She served as chair of ACerS Art, Archaeology & Conservation Science Division in 2024–2025, and she enjoys the opportunities that ACerS provides to discuss effective materials characterization methods with scientists of different backgrounds.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.