Dirt Don't Hurt

Maggie Kelleher is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Natural and Social Sciences. She has participated in archaeological field schools led by Dr. Kendy Altizer in the Santee Delta of Georgetown, South Carolina, and worked as an archaeological intern under Dr. Jodi Barnes with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Heritage Trust Program, From nervously attending her first field school away from home to eagerly returning the following summer, each experience has deepened her engagement with the discipline. These opportunities have allowed her to explore multiple branches of archaeology, gain exposure to marine sciences, and begin evaluating potential graduate programs. Through continued research, she hopes to nurture her passion for both the region and the work as she pursues a future career as an archaeologist. Her presentation for the BRAG August 2026 meeting traces the evolution of her early steps in archaeology and the journey that led her to fall in love with the field.