Michael Thomas

Michael Thomas serves as Director of the Edith O’Donnell Institute of Art History and Professor of Arts and Humanities at the University of Texas at Dallas, holding the Richard R. Brettell Distinguished University Chair within the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology. With over 25 years of archaeological fieldwork in Italy, he leads interdisciplinary initiatives connecting art history with digital innovation.

His academic credentials include:

• Bachelor of Arts in Art History, Duke University
• Master of Arts in Art History, Southern Methodist University
• Doctor of Philosophy in Art History, University of Texas at Austin

Thomas specializes in Etruscan and Roman art, architecture, and numismatics from the Bronze Age through the fifth century A.D., emphasizing cross-disciplinary methodologies. His research integrates digital humanities through projects like the Oplontis excavation’s 3D modeling and born-digital publications, making ancient Mediterranean studies accessible to broader audiences.

His honors include:

• Richard R. Brettell Distinguished University Chair
• Mellon postdoctoral fellowship

As co-director of the Oplontis Project near Naples and the Mugello Valley Archaeological Project in Tuscany, Thomas fosters institutional collaborations between UT Dallas, UT Austin, and international partners. These initiatives leverage digital media to disseminate findings from Vesuvius-buried Roman villas and Etruscan sites, advancing public engagement with archaeological research.