Student's international research journey comes full circle with prestigious presentation

An archaeology PhD student has presented the findings of her internationally supported research project after completing a specialist study visit to one of the world’s leading museums.

In 2023, Natalie Boyd was awarded a travel grant from the British Institute of Persian Studies (BIPS), enabling her to travel to New York to study a unique collection of Iron Age ivories from the site of Hasanlu in north-western Iran, housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET).

The grant provided Natalie with the opportunity to engage directly with the archaeological material central to her research. During her visit, she examined not only the enigmatic  Hasanlu ivories but also a wide range of artefacts from the site, including stamp seals, pottery, tiles, wall decorations, moulds, bracelets and wooden objects. Her work was supported by MET staff, including Curator Sarah Graff, Daira Eden Robert, Collections Manager for the Near and Middle Eastern Civilisations Department, and Principal Departmental Technician Shawn Osborne.

Natalie’s research focuses on the ivories recovered from the destruction layers at Hasanlu dating to around 800 BC. Through the application of archaeological theory, particularly New Materialist approaches, she is exploring the relationships between the people of Hasanlu and the objects they created, used and valued, offering new insights into the site’s material culture and the communities who lived there.

Last month, Natalie was invited by BIPS to present her research at a Grant Holders’ Workshop held at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter. The event brought together academics, researchers and students working across a wide range of disciplines connected to Iran and the wider region.

Reflecting on the opportunities created by the award, Natalie said: “Receiving the BIPS travel grant was transformative for my research. Being able to study the Hasanlu ivories first-hand at the MET and handle other artefacts from the site gave me a much deeper appreciation of the material culture of the people of Hasanlu and raised exciting new questions for my research.

“It was a privilege to return to BIPS and share the outcomes of the project with fellow researchers and students. I was particularly pleased to introduce Hasanlu to some of the Iranian students attending the workshop, many of whom had not previously encountered the site. It was rewarding to be able to share a lesser-known aspect of Iran’s rich archaeological heritage and to discuss its significance with such a diverse audience.”

Natalie gave a presentation  during the workshop outlining how the grant had supported her research and presenting her latest findings. She also had the opportunity to hear about projects undertaken by other grant holders, spanning subjects including archaeology, history, music, politics, religion, literature and law.

Professor Louise Steel, Natalie’s supervisor, praised her achievements and the impact of the award.

“I am incredibly proud of Natalie and all that she has achieved through this award,” said Professor Steel. “The support from BIPS has enabled her to engage directly with internationally significant material and develop important new perspectives on the archaeology of Hasanlu.

“It is particularly rewarding to see our students accessing collections of global importance in institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and then sharing their research with international audiences. Opportunities like this are invaluable in helping early-career researchers build networks, develop expertise and shape future research.”

Natalie’s experience demonstrates the lasting impact that research funding can have on postgraduate scholarship, enabling emerging researchers to access world-class collections, develop international collaborations and contribute new knowledge to the understanding of the ancient world.

Further details of Natalie’s research and her BIPS-funded visit can be found on the British Institute of Persian Studies website.

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Arwel Lloyd

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