معرفی
D. Alex Walthall is an Associate Professor of Classics at the University of Texas at Austin (College of Liberal Arts). He earned his PhD from Princeton University in 2013 and currently serves as Director of the American Excavations at Morgantina, one of the longest-running American-led archaeological missions in Italy, providing fieldwork training since 1955.
Education:
- PhD, Princeton University, 2013
Walthall's research centers on the archaeology of ancient Sicily, particularly Morgantina. His expertise includes numismatics, Hellenistic monarchy, and the archaeology of ancient economies. He investigates how agricultural taxation influenced trade and economic performance in the ancient world, and the interplay between numismatic evidence and archaeological contexts. His work bridges material culture studies with historical analysis of the Hellenistic and Roman periods in Sicily.
His recent publications (2020-2024) predominantly focus on excavations at Morgantina, revealing insights into urban development, economic systems, and daily life from the Hellenistic through Roman eras. Key themes include the use of stamped roof tiles for quality control, hydrologic resource management, and the transition from Hellenistic to Roman rule. Collaborative projects with students and international scholars are a hallmark of his research.
No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text.
Walthall advises several graduate students, many of whom co-author publications with him (e.g., Schirmer, Crowther, Millar). As Director of the Morgantina excavations, he secures grants to support fieldwork and publication, fostering student training and international collaboration. His leadership sustains one of the most enduring American archaeological projects in Italy.
Walthall leads the American Excavations at Morgantina, overseeing the Agora Valley Project and Contrada Agnese Project. These initiatives investigate Morgantina's urban landscape, economic infrastructure, and cultural transitions during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The projects involve multidisciplinary teams and contribute significantly to understanding Sicily's ancient history.
