Archaeology illuminates the past so that we can better understand the present and future.
As an archaeologist and scientist, I aim to uncover new facts about our human past, using apropos combinations of disciplines such as History, Geography, Materials, Literature, Linguistics and Science with forensic analyses and remote sensing methodologies.
Hannibal’s Crossing of the Alps in 218 BCE and Using Nature as a Weapon in His Battles
In the Second Punic War, Hannibal did the unthinkable - he defied the odds and crossed over the Alps with his army and elephants and took the Roman Army by surprise.
I have spent more than 30 years excavating, researching via source texts, and on foot examining Hannibal’s invasion of Italy. The primary research sponsor has been National Geographic Society. My book Hannibal (Simon and Schuster, 2017) covers some of this research following prior research articles.
“Ötzi” the Iceman
The preserved body of “Ötzi” from 5,300 years ago was discovered in 1991 at the Similaun-Tisjoch summit of the Otzal Alps.
My research focuses on the preservation of organic material in Alpine climates, and in particular the tools and plant materials Ötzi was carrying for survival, food and medicine.This includes sloe berries (Prunus spinosa), a superfood with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties as well as a metabolic stimulant.
