Home > Reaching Others > Students > Sara Calleri

"We discovered a cache of pots, bowls, and vases, all of which were from 3000 BCE."

University at Buffalo Seyitömer Höyük Research Team

« Prev   Next »

Image 1 of 6

Related Media

• » Pottery found at Seyitömer Höyük (Photo by Sara Calleri)
• » UB research team at Seyitömer Höyük
• » The excavation site
• » Sara on site

Through archeological excavations, valuable pieces of history are unearthed. However it is rare that an excavation itself makes history. Seyitömer Höyük in Turkey is one of archeology’s most important sites for the study of the ancient world – yet soon it will be completely destroyed.

“The site is subject to destruction by a coal company in 2 years,” explains UB history student Sara Calleri. “All of the artifacts must be found and removed before the coal company is allowed to dig for coal.”

 Knowing the urgency of the situation at Seyitömer Höyük was enough to convince Sara that she wanted to join the rescue excavation team.

Last summer, through UB’s Archeological Field School, Sara was able to travel to the site to make a direct impact--- not only unearthing history, but by making history, saving artifacts that would have otherwise been lost forever.

“My role [on the excavation team] was to use delicate tools and brushes to gently uncover artifacts that were up to 5000 years old. Once the artifact was sufficiently uncovered, we would carefully photograph the item in situ and remove it for further studying,” explains Sara.

“The most exciting part of the excavation was finding what has been described as the ‘best find in Turkey’ during that particular dig season. To be the first person in 5000 years to see a beautiful and fully intact vase was absolutely thrilling.”

Like the story? Share it.