Chelsea Gardner

Dr. Chelsea Gardner is a Classical Archaeologist specializing in ancient Greece, Rome, and the broader Mediterranean world. Her work focuses on archaeological exploration in southern Greece, particularly the Mani Peninsula, and she co-directs The CARTography Project, a Digital Humanities initiative reconstructing early modern travelers' routes. She is actively engaged in public scholarship through the Peopling the Past Podcast, which she co-hosts.

• Ph.D., Classics (Classical Archaeology), University of British Columbia, 2018
• M.A., Classical, Near Eastern, and Religious Studies, University of British Columbia, 2010
• B.A., Classics and Religious Studies, McMaster University, 2008

Her research spans ancient and modern cultural identity, religious spaces, the history of travel, and digital humanities. She explores women in antiquity, animals and nature in antiquity, and landscape studies. Her recent work includes analyzing Hellenistic Mani's localism, reconstructing historical journeys via GIS, and reinterpreting the Oracle of the Dead at Tainaron. Publications address Spartan identity continuity, modern classroom integration of women in antiquity, and digital methodologies in Mediterranean teaching.

Dr. Gardner's articles reflect interdisciplinary approaches combining classical archaeology with digital tools and public outreach. She collaborates with institutions and scholars globally, emphasizing community engagement and ethical scholarship. Her podcast work amplifies underrepresented voices in antiquity and critiques colonial narratives in heritage studies.