February 18, 2027 at 8:00pm — 9:30pm
What You’ll Learn
What if we could uncover lost cities, forgotten buildings, and buried landscapes without ever lifting a shovel?
In this illustrated lecture, Geoff Manaugh (bestselling author of A Burglar’s Guide to the City) will explore the emerging technologies that are changing how archaeologists discover, map, and preserve the past. Through stories from his forthcoming book, Geoff will introduce powerful tools—including ground-penetrating radar, magnetometry, muography, and other forms of remote sensing—that allow researchers to see beneath the earth’s surface without disturbing the sites they study.
Along the way, you’ll discover the surprising origins of these technologies; how they’re helping archaeologists race against threats like climate change, development, and conflict; implications for the field of historic preservation; and why these tools may soon become much more widely accessible.
The presentation will conclude with an audience Q&A.
Why Take This Virtual Class?
Archaeological sites around the world are disappearing due to climate change, urban development, looting, and conflict. New imaging technologies are allowing researchers to document and protect these places faster than ever before—often without excavation or damage. Join us for a fascinating look at the future of archaeology and what it could mean for the preservation of our shared cultural heritage.
About the Instructor
Geoff Manaugh
Geoff Manaugh is a Los Angeles-based writer and the New York Times bestselling author of A Burglar’s Guide to the City. For more than two decades, he has written about architecture, design, technology, and the built environment for publications including The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, WIRED, MIT Technology Review, Financial Times Magazine, New Scientist, and Dwell. His forthcoming book explores how advances in geophysics are transforming archaeology by revealing hidden traces of human history without excavation.
