The world-renowned Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) has awarded Dr. Tuna Şare Ağtürk the James R. Wiseman Book Award for her monograph The Painted Tetrarchic Reliefs of Nicomedia: Uncovering the Colourful Life of Diocletian’s Forgotten Capital. The monograph is published in the series Studies in Classical Archaeology, edited by professor and UrbNet centre director Rubina Raja and published by Brepols Publishers.

The outstanding book by Tuna Şare Ağtürk is the primary publication of a major new monument of the Tetrachic period from Nicomedia in Asia Minor. Here, 66 painted architectural reliefs were revealed by an earthquake in 1999. The material has an outstanding archaeological and architectural context, and Ağtürk provides a masterful analysis of all aspects of the reliefs. Overall, the study expands our knowledge of material and visual culture well beyond the traditional focus of classical archaeology – which also is one of the scopes of the series Studies in Classical Archaeology. For these reasons, The Painted Tetrarchic Reliefs of Nicomedia: Uncovering the Colourful Life of Diocletian’s Forgotten Capital has been awarded the 2023 James R. Wiseman Book Award. Read more about the book at Brepols’ website here.

The James R. Wiseman Book Award

The James R. Wiseman Book Award is awarded for academic work on an archaeological topic deemed worthy of recognition by the Award Committee. The award is presented at the Annual Meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America. Books and monographs are only eligible if they have a publication date within the last four calendar years prior to the specific Annual Meeting, and authors/editors must have been AIA members in good standing at least one year immediately preceding nomination. Read more about the award and find a list of recipients here.

UrbNet congratulates Tuna Şare Ağtürk warmly on her success.

Studies in Classical Archaeology – Brepols Publishers

The series Studies in Classical Archaeology provides in-depth research into all aspects of the material culture relating to ancient Greece, Rome, and the neighbouring communities of the Mediterranean and the Near East. Comprising monographs and edited collections, the series takes a focused approach to a broad range of topics. It offers new insights into both the Classical world and its broader geographical and chronological contexts, exploring regions and time periods that have often been considered peripheral – whilst retaining an emphasis on the understanding of material culture from the perspective of classical archaeology. Read more about the series and find information on manuscript submission here.