Category Archives: talks

Had a wonderful time studying the archive at the University of Chicago Oriental Institute – thank you to everyone I worked with during my stay the previous week, and sincere thanks to the Oriental Institute for awarding me the Oriental Institute Collections Research Grant 2019-2020!

The Oriental Institute archive really is a treasure trove – lots of material from the Diyala Expedition and the associated publications there that hasn’t been digitized and has been practically unseen since the 60’s, including plans with elevations which I needed for my PhD dissertation.

Also thank you to everyone who attended my talk on Friday, February 21st. I am happy to share my powerpoint with anyone who is interested, feel free to contact at arthur.stefanski@mail.utoronto.

I will be presenting a free public lecture at the University of Toronto on November 13th at 7pm, at WI 1017 (Willcocks Hall – 40 Willcocks Street):

Abstract: Excavations in the 1930’s at the site of Khafajah, located east of modern Baghdad, revealed archaeological levels from the 3^rd millennium BC. Reconstructions using old excavation plans show that, based on inscribed objects, the latest levels date to the reigns of the Akkadian kings Rimush and Naram-Sin. A development of warrior culture took place at Khafajah from the late Early Dynastic period to the Akkadian period, a time when historical records indicate a surge in the frequency and scale of warfare. Fortifications were built and improved, and weapons increased in the assemblage and began to be included as grave goods, giving insight into their symbolic role within warrior identity.

I will also have an article on the same topic as this lecture appear in the next issue of the Canadian Society for Mesopotamian Studies Journal, due out late this year.