I completed my bachelor’s and currently pursuing my master’s in Art and Archaeology at the Lebanese University. I’m excited to be part of the Marine Sciences and Culture program at AUB provided by the HFF. Coming from Mina Tripoli, —a city with a rich maritime history—I have always been drawn to the connection between ancient civilizations and the sea, particularly the Phoenicians and their seafaring expertise.

I’m particularly interested in the course MSCU 204 – Coastal and Marine Environments: Maritime Cultural Heritage. The way it looks at the threats to maritime heritage, both natural and man-made, really connects with my interests. I am also looking forward to learning about the laws that protect heritage, how ethnography fits into maritime archaeology, and how communities, both past and present, play a key role in a country’s cultural identity.

At AUB, I’m eager to expand my research skills and learn new technical tools like GIS and photogrammetry. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to enhance my knowledge and contribute to the academic community, while continuing to explore my passion for coastal and marine archaeology.

February 2025 Update:

During the Fall semester in the MSCU program, I gained a deeper understanding of geomorphology, which helped me get a better view of how coastal landscapes change over time through processes like sea-level changes and sedimentation. I also explored oceanography, which gave me insight into how winds and currents impact the marine environment. Alongside this, I studied maritime history from prehistory to the Ottoman period, which broadened my perspective on human interaction with the sea across different eras. One of the highlights was learning underwater excavation and survey techniques, a fascinating challenge compared to the land-based methods I was familiar with. I also found shipbuilding techniques particularly interesting, and examining ancient shipwrecks really brought history to life. For my final essay, I focused on *Viking Ship Burials* because I was intrigued by how the Vikings viewed death and the afterlife. My research delved into the cultural and religious meaning of ship burials, drawing from Norse mythology, like Baldr’s funeral in *Gylfaginning*, as well as literary sources such as *Beowulf* and Ibn Fadlan’s accounts. I also analyzed archaeological findings from iconic ship burials like Gokstad and Oseberg, highlighting how grave goods, the symbolic importance of ships, and the status of the deceased reflect Viking beliefs and funerary practices.