Scott Pike

As both a trained geologist and archaeologist, I use geological theories and methodologies to investigate the physical, chemical and social relationships that cultures have with their natural environment. Currently, I am pursuing two major research trajectories. The first is the development and application of portable instrumentation to study the synergistic relationships between societies and their changing landscapes. These projects use ground-based, aerial and geochemical surveys to understand how the landscape influences the development of human cultures and, in turn, how dynamic landscapes influence social and cultural resilience and change. Research along this trajectory includes a systematic geochemical study of floor samples collected from multiple monumental structures at the Neolithic site of the Ness of Brodgar in Orkney, Scotland, aerial surveys of ancient marble quarries in Greece, and aerial investigations of landscape responses after disturbance from harvesting or fire. The aerial surveys make use of drone-mounted cameras, LiDAR and multispectral sensors.

My second line of research focuses on the procurement, use, trade and aesthetics of white marble used in the ancient Mediterranean basin. Current marble research in this area includes analysis of marble samples from the Parthenon and Propylaea on the Athenian acropolis, re-evaluating the extent of prehistoric marble quarrying in the Cyclades, and collaborating with archaeologists, museum curators and art historians to assess the provenance of marble artifacts, statuary, and monuments.