SAVING THE PAST FOR THE SAKE OF OUR FUTURE .
BY INGA KIDERRA
INDIANA JONES WITH A LAPTOP . That ’ s how one writer described archaeologist Tom Levy . But for a more complete picture , add reams of data and a drone . Instead of a fedora , swap in a scuba mask or a checkered keffiyeh wrapped around his head . Or you can imagine him as he was dressed on the day of this interview , in sweats and sneakers , just before a visit to the gym .
By turns cinematic and humdrum , Levy is one of the world ’ s top experts in the archaeology of the Levant , a region of the Middle East from the Sinai in the south to Syria in the north that abounds with both history and conflict . For the past four decades , he has studied the area ’ s ancient states and chiefdoms , with a particular focus on the mining and metallurgy technologies of the Copper ,
Bronze and Iron Ages from 4500 to 500 B . C . and how they influenced a society ’ s evolution . It ’ s a subject of biblical proportions — literally . Levy ’ s work has given credence to mythical stories of the times of King David and maybe the mines of King Solomon .
Although his work deals with digging in the dirt for long-lost societies ( and sometimes the stuff of legends ), Levy is also a pioneer in what he calls “ cyber-archaeology .” In addition to using classic tools like shovels and trowels , the UC San Diego anthropology professor uses cutting-edge implements like ground-penetrating radar , laser scanners and custom-designed software to study massive amounts of digital data . To sift through the past , Levy has picks on one side , pixels on the other .
30 TRITON | SPRING 2018