Recently, as a part of a series called UChicago Class Visits, Derek Kennet's “Ceramic Analysis in Archaeology” class made UChicago News!
In a class comprised of both undergraduate and graduate students, Kennet teaches students how to engage with and analyze ancient pottery and artifacts to learn how to interact with the remnants of history. By intentionally creating a collaborative space, Kennet supports students - who often come to the class with little to no experience in archaeology - how to not only handle the artifacts with care, but to also treat them like pieces of a story.
Although the entire history cannot be uncovered from these artifacts alone, the opportunity Kennet has created for his students to engage with these ancient pieces in a hands-on way has sparked interest, appreciation, and for some, an ongoing dedication to study the past.
A version of this article was originally published by Colin Terril on August 7, 2026 in UChicago News, and can be found here: With real artifacts, students piece together the ancient past | University of Chicago News