UC students uncover
Ancient City
The Cincinnati Enquirer highlights UC Classics archaeological research in Sardinia
The Cincinnati Enquirer highlighted the archaeology research of University of Cincinnati students under the direction of UC Classics associate professor Steven Ellis in the ancient Sardinian city of Tharros.
The Cincinnati Enquirer highlighted the archaeology research of University of Cincinnati students under the direction of UC Classics associate professor Steven Ellis in the ancient Sardinian city of Tharros.
Ellis and several of his students have spent five weeks this summer working in Sardinia off the mainland of Italy where they are learning more about people who lived in the ancient city of Tharros more than 3,000 years ago.
Ellis, an expert on ancient Rome, has conducted work across ancient Europe from Spain to Algeria. He directs UC's excavations at Pompeii and Tharros and is the author of the 2018 book "The Roman Retail Revolution."
"What's great about this site is it wasn't buried by a volcano. It has a more usual demise — economic decline and collapse and abandonment," Ellis said during a 2021 lecture at the University of Sydney's Chau Chak Wing Museum.
WATCH: What University of Cincinnati archaeology looks like in Italy
“They require the work of exceptionally talented people.”
— Steven Ellis | UC archaeologist on UC Classics teamwork
Tharros on the western coast of Sardinia served on the trade route between the coastal ports of what are now Spain, North Africa and France between the 7th century B.C. and the 6th century A.D.
"I'm especially interested in ideas of neighborhoods and communities," Ellis said.
Ellis noted that archaeology research projects are team efforts. His projects at Tharros and Pompeii are no exceptions, he said. Ellis and his students have been studying Tharros for several years now.
UC graduate Kerry Ulm in 2019 participated in a UC Classics archaeology project in Pylos, Greece. Photo/Provided
UC research expenditures reached a record $551.8 million in in 2021-22.
"They require the work of exceptionally talented people," he said.
UC students such as Matt Wabler are helping to make new discoveries at Tharros. The Enquirer was there when the team discovered an ancient coin that last saw sunlight on Sardinia thousands of years ago.
"Someone used it. Touched it," Wabler told the Enquirer. "It's personal."
See the full story and photo gallery online.
Absolutely loving the prehistoric archaeology of Sardinia. #sardegna #nuraghe #santuantine pic.twitter.com/yPK66h2QuC
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllis74) June 24, 2018
Education in action
UC students have contributed to UC Classics' other work, including excavations of the Griffin Warrior in Greece. From research abroad to co-ops and internships, UC offers experience-based learning opportunities to all students.
See more recent headlines:
Learn by Doing
UC students literally get a chance to get their hands dirty by participating in field research around the world. UC Classics students have participated in excavations at Pylos, Greece, and Pompeii, Italy, among other historic sites. At UC, students learn by doing, taking experiential learning to the next level through firsthand research. Learn more about UC's career education.
Related Stories
How aerospace is turning to trustworthy AI
January 6, 2026
UC College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate Lynn Pickering talks to the Ohio Federal Research Network about her research into artificial intelligence and the future of AI in aerospace engineering.
UC's art collection on display at the Contemporary Arts Center
January 5, 2026
University of Cincinnati leaders joined WVXU's Cincinnati Edition to talk about the university’s 200-year-old art collection, a new exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center and the release of a companion book exploring the collection’s role in education and public engagement.
UC faculty and staff among Rising Star leadership honorees
January 5, 2026
Two UC faculty and staff members are among this year's Rising Star leadership program sponsored by YWCA Greater Cincinnati. Kelli Beecher, assistant professor in the UC College of Nursing, and Brittany Bibb, assistant director of programs and operations in the UC Division of Student Affairs, are among the emerging leaders of 2026. They were featured in the publication Movers & Makers.
What's behind the mysterious rise of migraines?
January 5, 2026
Weather patterns such as extreme heat and storm conditions have been linked to migraine attacks, and research shows those environmental conditions are becoming more common. As National Geographic recently reported, one of the leading theories behind this mysterious rise is that climate change may be playing a role.
Top six 2025 nephrology drug approvals
January 5, 2026
“2025 has been a landmark year for kidney disease therapeutics, marked by a comprehensive slate of FDA approvals covering endothelin-receptor blockade, complement inhibition, GLP-1-based metabolic protection, and B-cell-directed therapy,” Prakash Gudsoorkar, MD, associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and staff nephrologist at UC Health, recently told MedCentral.
Weight loss drugs help, but not on their own
January 5, 2026
Millions of Americans are on one type of weight loss drug or another, and a University of Cincinnati physician says there are things to know as we enter the new year. Malti Vij, MD, adjunct associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and provider at UC Health Primary Care in Mason, recently spoke to 91.7 WVXU News.