Cemal Pulak

Professor Cemal Pulak is a distinguished academic in the Department of Anthropology at Texas A&M University, specializing in Nautical Archaeology. He holds the Frederick R. Mayer Faculty position and focuses on Late Bronze Age maritime trade, shipbuilding technology, and seafaring practices in the eastern Mediterranean and Aegean regions. His research integrates material analysis of ancient artifacts with historical context, particularly through the study of shipwrecks like Uluburun and Yenikapı.

Education:

• PhD in Anthropology, Texas A&M University, 1996

Research Interests:

• Analysis of Bronze Age trade networks via shipwrecks
• Technological advancements in ancient shipbuilding
• Material provenance studies of artifacts (e.g., tin, glass, copper)
• Documentation of submerged archaeological sites

Publications Trends: His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining archaeological excavation with scientific methods like isotopic analysis and dendrochronology. Recent articles focus on tin provenance from the Uluburun shipwreck, glass ingot manufacturing techniques, and Byzantine ship construction insights from Yenikapı excavations.

Advising & Grants: Currently mentoring three graduate students—Stephen DeCasien, Rachel Matheny, and Laura White. His research has been supported through institutional grants for underwater archaeological campaigns in Turkey and the Mediterranean.

Labs/Teams: Active collaborator with the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA), leading fieldwork projects on iconic shipwrecks and training future archaeologists in underwater methodologies.