Hidden in Plain Sight: The Women Archaeology Misidentified

For generations, archaeologists encountered graves filled with weapons, wealth, tools, and symbols of authority and often reached the same conclusion: this must have been a man. Then new evidence began reopening the cases. In this six-week live online course, we will investigate some of archaeology’s most fascinating cases of women who were overlooked, misidentified, or interpreted through assumptions about gender and power. From the famous Viking warrior of Birka and the armed women of the Eurasian steppe to Bronze Age specialists and some of the wealthiest burials in prehistoric Europe, we will examine what archaeologists originally found, what they thought it meant, and what happened when DNA, osteology, proteomics, and new archaeological methods changed the story. CAN'T JOIN LIVE? Prefer to watch on your own schedule? Recording-Only Access is available, including all six class recordings, course materials, and access to the Hidden in Plain Sight group. GET RECORDING-ONLY ACCESS → Each week is structured as an archaeological cold case. We will begin with the original evidence, examine the initial interpretation, and then reopen the investigation using the evidence now available. Along the way, we will explore a larger question: how much of the ancient world have we interpreted through our own expectations about who could be a warrior, hunter, craft specialist, religious authority, or leader? This is also a course about how archaeology works. Archaeological interpretations are not fixed. New technologies, new discoveries, and new questions can transform our understanding of people who lived thousands of years ago. Each live session combines conversation, lecture, and discussion, giving us time to work through the weekly case together and examine the evidence from different perspectives. JOIN THE INVESTIGATION LIVE! Register Below!