WSU anthropology professor wins Cotter award for historical archeology
Krysta Ryzewski, professor of anthropology in Wayne State's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, received the John L. Cotter Award in Historical Archaeology from the Society for Historical Archaeology (SHA) at their 50th annual conference. She received the award for the Unearthing Detroit Project, the academic research program she developed and implements, which is grounded in community-based public archaeology.
Ryzewski was nominated by colleagues from universities across the US and Europe for her teamwork and collaboration exemplified in her academic research program. However, she wasn't aware of her nomination until after the SHA Awards Committee made their decision late last fall.
Awarding only one per year, this is the top honor that a junior scholar can receive from the SHA. Nominees can either be in training as undergraduate or graduate students or within the first five years of their professional careers. The award is given for a single achievement that is truly outstanding in its respective category.
Their commitment to practicing archaeology for the benefits of the public has demanded a considerable amount of skill, determination, and responsibility.
The Unearthing Detroit Project studies material remains of buildings in Detroit in order to understand the past, reveal the unwritten histories of the city's historically underrepresented communities and promote the preservation of Detroit's diverse cultural heritage.
"I was honored and humbled to have received this award, but the recognition should really be extended to the many contributors to the Unearthing Detroit Project since 2013," said Ryzewski. "Their commitment to practicing archaeology for the benefits of the public has demanded a considerable amount of skill, determination, and responsibility."
By Ian Aufdemberge, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences communications associate