A. Sky Heller
P.O. Box 188
Milford, ME 04461
A.Sky.Heller@gmail.com
(207) 217-3641
Education
Robert E. Cook Honors College, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, B.A. May 2007, 3.82 QPA
Anthropology/Archaeology Track, 3.87 QPA in major
Religious Studies, 3.80 QPA in major
Honors
2006, Anthropology Honors Track
2005, Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant Recipient
2005, Member Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
2004, Member Lambda Alpha, the Anthropology Honors Society
2004, IUP Provost Scholar
2002 - 2007, IUP Dean’s List
Activities and Conferences
2004 – 2005, President IUP Anthropology Club
2004, IUP Archaeological Field School, Indiana, Pennsylvania
2002 – 2004, Treasurer IUP Anthropology Club
2004 – 2007, Society for American Archaeology Conferences
Social Service
2005-2006, Robert E. Cook Honors College Social Service Coordinator: Responsibilities included
organizing and tracking the social service activities of Honors College students as well as assisting in the
scheduling and management of meetings to discuss the progress and success of each student’s service
activities.
2005, Tsunami Relief Fund-raising and Letter Writing Campaign: As part of the Anthropology Club,
this required the organization of volunteer workers for fund-raising events as well as assisting in the
composition of a letter challenging Anthropology clubs across America to raise funds for long-term relief
following the 2004 Tsunami.
Work Experience
2008 February – 2009 September, Laboratory Technician, Arkansas Archaeological Survey: This
position requires that I conduct artifact inventories of archaeological assemblages collected during the
1930s and 1960s from dry bluff shelter sites throughout northwest Arkansas. These collections contain a
variety of artifacts including fragile perishable materials not often preserved in an archaeological context.
The position requires a wide range of identification and analysis, organizational, problem solving, and
cataloging skills.
2007 June - July, Independent Contractor, IUP Archaeological Services: This project required the
completion of analytical soil sample flotation for samples collected at the Johnston Site (36 IN 2) as well as
the organization, sorting and cataloguing of samples following flotation.
2006 to 2007, Curation Project Student Supervisor, IUP Archaeological Services: IUP Archaeological
Services provided the completion of laboratory work for archaeological collections acquired through
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation projects. The Curation Project brought such collections into
accordance with curational standards as laid out by the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission.
This included the cleaning, labeling, cataloguing, and proper storage of artifacts as well as the preservation,
organization, cataloguing, and management of site and project documentation and the completion of
paperwork for the proper submission of collections to the Pennsylvania State Museum for final curation
and storage. As a student supervisor I managed tasks, answered student questions, and provided project
guidance while completing independent projects.
2006, Research Assistant, Dr. Sarah Neusius: In this position I performed identification, analysis,
cataloguing, and organization for the faunal assemblage collected during the 1980 archaeological
excavations at the Ripley site (NYSM 2490) under the direction of Dr. Sarah Neusius.
2006, Curation Project Intern, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation: As part of the abovementioned Penn DOT Curation Project, I assisted in the cleaning, labeling and organization of
archaeological collections as well as the creation and management of artifact inventories and the
preservation and management of project documentation for archaeological projects lacking compliance
with the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission Curation Guidelines standards. I have
participated in the curation of archaeological collections and documentation for twelve sites within three
separate archaeological projects.
2005, Research Assistant: In this position I performed analysis and cataloguing activities for the lithic
collection from the 1980 archaeological excavations at the Ripley site (NYSM 2490) under the direction of
Dr. Phillip Neusius, Anthropology Department Chair.
2005, Archaeological Internship, Tel Rehov, Israel: I was a member of the 2005 field crew at Tel Rehov
in the Beth Shean Valley, northern Israel under the direction of Dr. Amihai Mazar, Hebrew University of
Jerusalem. This six-week position provided me with an opportunity to acquire field experience using
techniques not available in the northeastern United States. My duties included general excavation, artifact
processing, mapping and profile creation, and the production of detailed artifact illustrations.
2003 to 2006, IUP Archaeological Services Laboratory Technician: As a laboratory technician I was
expected to clean, catalog, and label artifacts from ongoing Archaeological Services projects, as well as
assist in the production of site and project reports. I was also required to help organize and run the annual
PennDOT Byways to the Past Conference at IUP; a conference aimed at fostering education and
cooperation between archaeologists, historic preservationists, construction contractors, and PennDOT
employees.
2002 to 2005, Assistant to Honors College Assistant Director: In this position I was required to apply
computer and organizational skills for projects varying from maintaining the Honors College webpage to
the organization of Honors College events.
Papers/Posters
2007, Undergraduate Honors Thesis
“The Question of Israel: A Comparative Review of the Archaeology of Iron Age Palestine”
This research focuses on a current debate over the chronology of Iron Age Palestine. By reviewing the two
major arguments as well as a number of important sites, the paper generates research questions for further
clarification of the debated period.
2007, IUP Undergraduate Scholars Conference
“Archaeology and the Bible: A Review of the Current Debate”
The Biblical story of the United Monarchy of David and Solomon and the following period of the Divided
Kingdoms of Israel and Judah falls within a 400 year period which is currently a hotly debated topic in the
field of Levantine archaeology. This presentation will review these arguments and discuss the ramifications
of each for our understanding of the Biblical narrative.
2006, Society for American Archaeology Conference
“Archaeology Outside the US: How Internships Enhance the Archaeological Student Experience”
This presentation demonstrated how internships provide a unique opportunity for students to fully immerse
themselves in the archaeology of another country as well as provide students with tools to make better
decisions about their futures in archaeology. To do this, the presentation illustrated the realities of an
archaeological internship in northern Israel and the advantages such internships can provide to
undergraduate students.