Catherine Klesner

Dr. Catherine Klesner is a Research Associate at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, specializing in archaeometry and material culture studies. Her research employs advanced scientific methods (e.g., NAA, LA-ICP-MS, SEM) to investigate ceramic production, technological innovation, and trade networks in ancient societies across Central Asia, the Mediterranean, and the Americas.

Her primary research interests include:

• Archaeometric approaches to ceramic and glass artifacts
• Reconstruction of pre-Hispanic and medieval technological traditions
• Long-distance trade systems along the Silk Road
• Material sourcing using geochemical and isotopic methods
• Cross-cultural craft interactions in frontier regions

Analyses of her publications reveal strong thematic coherence in:

• Technological reconstruction of glazing techniques (Islamic Central Asia)
• Provenance studies of ceramics and obsidian using multi-method approaches
• Interdisciplinary methodologies combining archaeology, chemistry, and materials science

Dr. Klesner utilizes facilities at the McDonald Institute's Archaeological Science Laboratories for her research on material culture, though specific lab/team structures are not detailed in available sources.