Darian Marie Totten

Darian Marie Totten is an Assistant Professor & Director of Classical Studies at McGill University's Department of History and Classical Studies. Her research focuses on Roman archaeology, environmental history, and the intersection of ancient and modern placemaking. She holds a PhD from Stanford University and specializes in Mediterranean regions from 2000 BCE to 600 CE.

Education: PhD in Classics/Archaeology from Stanford University (thesis not specified). Research interests include Roman infrastructure, comparative imperial systems (e.g., Han China), urban resilience strategies, and the material culture of labor and exchange. She directs fieldwork at Salapia-Salpi in Apulia, Italy, exploring late antique urbanism and environmental adaptation.

Her scholarship bridges archaeological material analysis with historical interpretation, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to ancient economies, landscapes, and cultural transitions. Recent work highlights cross-cultural comparisons between Rome and Han China, as well as the long-term dynamics of Mediterranean coastal settlements.

Her publications consistently engage with methodological innovation in field archaeology, particularly in paleoenvironmental reconstruction and ceramic sourcing. She also critiques modern uses of Roman heritage in national identity formation, reflecting a commitment to critical archaeology.

Current projects include ongoing excavations at Salapia, analysis of Apulian salt production networks, and investigations into late antique glass trade routes. She teaches courses on classical archaeology (CLAS 240) and specialized topics (CLAS 349).