Dr. Michael Galaty, a longtime professor at Millsaps College, now at the University of Michigan, recently received the Anna Marguerite McCann Award for Fieldwork Reports by the Archaeological Institute of America, recognizing groundbreaking research in Albania. This project began during his tenure at Millsaps and involved extensive contributions from Millsaps faculty and students over a decade.
Maria Bujenovic
Galaty, along with Dr. Lorenc Bejko, received the award for their book Archaeological Investigations in a Northern Albania Province: Results of the Projekti Arkeologjik i Shkodrës, published by the University of Michigan Press. This two-volume work details years of research and sheds new light on how social inequality developed in ancient Europe.
The Millsaps Connection
Galaty’s award-winning research has deep roots at Millsaps. He started the PASH project here, involving many students and faculty in hands-on research. Dr. Jamie Harris and Dr. Stan Galicki, both Millsaps geology professors, co-authored key chapters in the report.
Additionally, former Millsaps students, Ethan Hughes, Dora Lambert and Kailey Rocker co-authored several chapters.
“Millsaps played a huge role in this project,” Galaty said. “For several summers, we had students and faculty working with us in Albania, collecting data, studying artifacts and helping with research that is now getting international recognition.”
Galicki’s chapter focused on geological analysis, while Harris co-wrote two chapters providing important background for the findings.
Dr. Harris and Ethan Hughes
The project also led to two undergraduate honors theses in geosciences by Millsaps students Catherine Henry and Ethan Hughes, with additional work from Maria Bujenovic and Eric Martin. Kailey Rocker and Dora Lambert also took part in the fieldwork, alongside a broader team of former students.
Digging into Albania’s Past
The PASH project focused on settlement patterns and social structures in northern Albania, especially at the hillfort of Grunas. Using surveys, targeted excavations and artifact analysis, the team studied how and when social hierarchies began forming in this part of Europe.
One of their biggest discoveries? Signs of social inequality appeared as early as 800 BCE—long before Greek colonies arrived. This challenges the idea that outside cultures like the Near East and Aegean civilizations mainly influenced European social structures. Instead, the findings suggest that local developments played a much bigger role than previously thought.
Recognition and Future Impact
The AIA praised the PASH project for its thorough research and teamwork across multiple disciplines. They highlighted how well the project combined fieldwork, data collection and publication, making it a model for future archaeological studies.
One standout feature of the project is its commitment to open-access research. The team has made a wealth of data—site photos, excavation records, survey documentation—freely available online through the University of Michigan’s Deep Blue Data repository. This means scholars worldwide can use and build on their work.
Drs. Galaty and Bejko
Support from Throughout the Millsaps Community
“The project was primarily funded by an NSF grant,” said Galaty. “But several Millsaps trustees were strong supporters of our work in Albania over the years, including Bud Robinson, Bob Leggett and William Jeanes.”
For Millsaps, this recognition is a reminder of the college’s dedication to giving students hands-on research experiences. It also symbolizes the global impact of a Millsaps education.
“This project is a great example of what makes Millsaps special,” said Harris. “Our students weren’t just learning in the classroom—they were out in the field, contributing to major international research. Now, their work is part of an award-winning publication.”
Dr. Galaty, the Millsaps faculty and students who contributed have helped change how scholars understand early European societies. As their research continues to make an impact, Millsaps College can take pride in its role in preparing students to be part of groundbreaking discoveries like this and many others.
NOTE: The two volume book is available to read online for free here: Volume 1, Volume 2.