Morag Kersel
Morag Kersel, Ph.D. (University of Cambridge, 2006)
Post Doctoral Fellow and Course Instructor
Supervisor: Edward Banning
(416) 946-3598
Office: AP 520
Field: Heritage, archaeological ethics, antiquities trade and law; eastern Mediterranean
Research
Dr. Kersel's research considers the legal remedies employed by countries in the Eastern Mediterranean to protect against archaeological site destruction as a result of the market demand for artifacts. In order to combat the looting of archaeological sites, nations throughout the world have employed various legal strategies to protect their cultural heritage: a total ban on the trade in antiquities, a partial ban (a legal internal trade), and a legally sanctioned trade. Employing the hybrid practice of archaeological ethnography, this research investigates alternative legal remedies using Israel, Palestine, Greece and Jordan as case studies. The empirical data gathered from this post-doctoral research may form the basis for future legislative and policy formation in the region and hopefully even greater regional cooperation in cultural heritage protection. Dr. Kersel is a team member of the Keros Archaeological Project investigating the Early Bronze Age sites of Kavos and Dhaskalio, where she directs the archaeological field school. Dr. Kersel also co-edits the Archaeological Heritage and Ethics section of the Journal of Field Archaeology. Her teaching interests include archaeological ethics and law, cultural heritage, commodificaiton of archaeological material and the built environment.
Recent Publications
2008 Kersel, Morag M., Luke, Christina and Christopher H. Roosevelt. "Valuing the past: Perceptions of archaeological practice in Lydia and the Levant." Journal of Social Archaeology. 8(3): 298-319.
2006 Brodie, Neil; Kersel, Morag; Luke, Christina and Katheryn Walker Tubb (eds.) Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, and the Antiquities Trade. University Press of Flordia. 268 pgs.
Honours
Dr. Kersel is the 2007 recipient of the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR) Membership Service Award. This award recognizes Dr. Kersel's many contributions to the ASOR membership, through her committee work and as a Co-Vice President for Programs. In addition to her internationally known work as a tireless advocate for responsible heritage conservation, Dr. Kersel undertook to organize ASOR's newest scholars, encouraging them to participate in the organization and giving them a voice in the organization through the Junior Scholar's Committee.
