Hear Behind-the-Scenes Stories of Pompeii Excavation

Assistant professor Steven Ellis will discuss the

Classics Department’s role

in the Cincinnati Museum Center’s “A Day in Pompeii” exhibit on WVXU radio and share some of his favorite stories of discovery in Pompeii during an upcoming lecture.

Ellis’ interview with radio host Jane Durrell will be included in WVXU’s “Around Cincinnati” program, which airs from 7 to 8 p.m. May 13. He will give a lecture at 7:30 p.m. May 17 at the museum center on the latest excavations at Pompeii. In his talk, Ellis covers his crew’s innovative approaches and revolutionary methodologies and highlights some fascinating tales of excavating the lives and histories of ancient Pompeii's middle-class families. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Ellis heads the University of Cincinnati’s archaeological excavation project at Pompeii, which is the largest and best-known active excavation on site. The Pompeii Archaeological Research Project: Porta Stabia covers a nearly 50,000 square foot area where researchers have uncovered a neighborhood with homes, shops, restaurants and factories. Ellis was instrumental in connecting the university’s vast resources with the museum center staff for the

exhibit

, which runs through Aug. 12.

Ellis was recently named one of 30 national winners of the

Rome Prize

, an award created to further significant achievements in the arts and humanities. He will spend the next academic year at the American Academy at Rome, where he will conduct research into aspects of life at ancient Pompeii.