NH-LIFT Grant Supports Student on Excavation in Central Italy

Research at Saint Anselm isn’t limited to New England, let alone the United States. Supported by the NH-LIFT Grant, William Dervin ’26, a  Classical Archaeology major and Latin and History minor, found himself under the central Italian sun working at an Etrusco-Roman settlement. As part of the Coriglia Excavation Project, Dervin investigated a specific area between a wall and a road of the settlement that was previously believed to be a sidewalk. Important studies like this could help to answer historians’ biggest questions about functionality and the daily lives of Romans and later Italians who occupied in the region. Saint Anselm’s Classics Department has been involved with the Coriglia Excavation since it began nearly 20 years ago.

“Coriglia was in persistent use from the 4th century B.C.E. until the 15th century C.E. with the most active phases during the first 700 years of use,” said Professor Sarah Glenn, Ph.D. “Since it was a site of intense activity in use for so long, it has been difficult to determine its function. Dervin’s research focused on providing evidence relevant to larger questions about the nature of Etruscan and Roman activity on the site.”

Dervin’s favorite part about this research was the depth of immersion in ancient history. Through this hands-on work, Dervin was able to physically study structures and places that were crafted thousands of years prior.  His fascination and passion for discovery helped Dervin gather clues about this ancient civilization’s once-thriving culture. Upon graduation, Dervin hopes to continue an enriching career in archaeology. He truly believes his work this summer will help prepare him for that new chapter.

The National Science Foundation funded NH-LIFT Grant helps students like Dervin participate in exciting new research opportunities with a stipend. This grant allowed Dervin to attend the excavation, gather evidence relevant to his research question, spend July on campus working to analyze his evidence, and present his findings at the NH-LIFT 2025 Summer Summit.