Mattia D'Acri

Mattia D'Acri is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Art and Archaeology at Princeton University. He holds a Ph.D. in Classical Archaeology from the University of Missouri (2024) with a dissertation on Archaic Roman pottery production, and advanced degrees from the Universities of Basilicata and Calabria (Italy). His research focuses on pre-Roman Italy archaeology, integrating traditional methods with cutting-edge archaeometry to study pottery production, trade networks, and socio-economic dynamics. He co-directs the Torre Mordillo Archaeological Project and participates in major initiatives like the Gabii Project and Caesar’s Forum Project.

• Education: Ph.D., University of Missouri (2024); MA, University of Calabria (Italy); MA, University of Basilicata (Italy)

Research interests center on material culture analysis, particularly ceramic production techniques and their implications for ancient trade and social organization. His work often employs Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) to trace production centers and identify regional exchange patterns. Key projects include excavations at Gabii (a Latin city near Rome) and the Sanctuary of Venus in Pompeii, where he investigates urban development, ritual practices, and material culture continuity.

Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, such as linking ceramic typology with chemical analysis to redefine Roman pottery production networks. Recent work challenges traditional narratives of Gabii’s decline, emphasizing its adaptive urban resilience over 1,400 years. Awards include the Donald K. Anderson Award for Outstanding Research Assistant and the Etruscan Foundation Fellowship.

He has held roles as co-director of the Torre Mordillo Project and contributed to fieldwork at multiple Mediterranean sites. His expertise spans urban archaeology, funerary practices, and the application of archaeometric methodologies.