Ella Arnold

While continuing my Bachelor of Arts degree at Reed College in the Greek, Latin, and Ancient Mediterranean degree program, I continue to practice researching and engaging with artifacts in pursuit of a career centered around museum curation and higher-level education.

My work at the Cooley Gallery allows me to experience museum docent and curatorial work firsthand, and my other jobs maintain my skills in customer service, organization, and public relations.

Vigla Archaeological Project

Part of the Pyla-Koutsopetria Archaeological Project

Pyla, Cyprus

July 2023

The Vigla site lends itself to the teaching of archaeology due to its easily-comprehended stratigraphy, its limited occupation, and the fact that it has been worked on for multiple years. The goal of the project, which is led by Reed professor Tom Landvatter and MSU Denver professor Brandon Olsen, is to teach students about the basics of archaeological methodology.

While in Cyprus, my work and research included a combination of field work and excavation, cleaning artifacts, and the categorization and archiving of our findings. Our team worked at the Vigla site for eight hours a day completing these various tasks.

Skills Acquired:

• Understanding of stratigraphy for archaeological purposes (soil identification through Munsell testing)
• Pickaxeing, digging, and sieving on-site
• Artifact identification
• Initial cleaning and categorization (pottery fabric identification, best practice for storage)

Pine Ridge Reservation Aid Trip

 Pine Ridge, South Dakota

June 2017

• Basic construction and cleanup on Pine Ridge Reservation, community outreach, building and cleaning of temporary boxcar housing.

Hurricane Harvey Aid Trip

Houston, Texas

June 2018

• Community outreach, cleanup of cemetery, aid in rebuilding homes affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Moundsville Aid Trip

 Moundsville, West Virginia

June 2019

• Community outreach, church cleanup and aid, soup kitchen serving and cooking, general repairs and aid around Moundsville.