John Peter Oleson

John Peter Oleson is a renowned Canadian archaeologist and historian specializing in the field of ancient technology, particularly in the Roman and Islamic periods. He is a distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Victoria, where he has taught since 1976.

Early Life and Education

John Peter Oleson was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Alberta, where he developed an interest in Classical and Near Eastern archaeology. He then pursued his graduate studies at Harvard University, earning a Ph.D. in Classical Archaeology.

Career

Oleson joined the faculty of the University of Victoria in 1976, where he taught in the Greek and Roman Studies department. His research primarily focuses on ancient technology, including water technology, maritime archaeology, and Roman architecture. He has conducted numerous archaeological excavations in the Middle East, particularly in Jordan.

Oleson is also known for his work on the Humayma excavation project in southern Jordan, where he served as the project director from 1986 to 2005. His research at Humayma has contributed significantly to the understanding of Nabataean culture and Roman frontier life.

Publications

Oleson has authored and edited several books and articles on ancient technology and archaeology. His most notable work is The Oxford Handbook of Engineering and Technology in the Classical World, which provides a comprehensive overview of the technical achievements of the Greek and Roman civilizations.

Honors and Awards

In recognition of his contributions to the field of archaeology, Oleson has received several awards, including the Archaeological Institute of America's Gold Medal for Distinguished Archaeological Achievement in 2020.

See Also

• List of Canadian archaeologists
• History of water supply and sanitation
• Roman technology
• Islamic technology