A Florida State University archaeologist and esteemed research professor has received the most prestigious accolade bestowed by the world’s largest and oldest archaeological association.

Nancy de Grummond, the M. Lynette Thompson Professor of Classics and supervisor of the FSU Archaeological Field School in Italy for the past 42 years, has been awarded the 2026 Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Archaeological Achievement from the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA). She will be recognized during an award ceremony at the 2026 AIA Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California, as well as during a colloquium in her honor celebrating the Gold Medal.

“I am truly honored and humbled by their selection,” de Grummond expressed. “Throughout the years, my primary guiding principle has been to trust my instincts and engage in archaeological endeavors that captivated me. Sharing this journey with my students has been equally vital. It’s exhilarating to be recognized for something that already brings me immense fulfillment.”

The AIA advocates for archaeologists, their studies and the communication of findings, as well as the ethical conduct of archaeology while advancing archaeological inquiry and public comprehension of humanity’s material history to cultivate an appreciation for diverse cultures and shared humanity. The Gold Medal, awarded annually to one archaeologist, acknowledges exceptional contributions to the field through research and practical work.

“The AIA’s Gold Medal is akin to a lifetime achievement award, and Nancy has accumulated a lifetime of impressive accomplishments,” remarked Tim Stover, chair of the Department of Classics. “Her career encompasses influential research, groundbreaking fieldwork, and remarkable museum contributions — she embodies the type of scholar for whom this prestigious award was established.”

After establishing the Archaeological Field School at the Cetamura del Chianti site in 1978, de Grummond became the field director of the Cetamura program in 1983, providing over 500 graduate and undergraduate students with the chance to engage in excavation, conservation efforts, and exhibition creation at Cetamura. This initiative is supported by FSU International Programs and the FSU Study Center in Florence.

Excavations at Cetamura — which has been inhabited since the 7th century B.C.E. by Etruscans and subsequently Romans, as well as Italians during the Middle Ages — have attracted international attention over the years, particularly due to the finding of an Etruscan sanctuary in 2006, waterlogged grape seeds containing ancient DNA from an Etruscan well in 2013, and a collection of ancient Roman coins in 2016.

“This program has effectively trained students to become educators, field archaeologists, and various other professionals,” de Grummond stated. “I take pleasure in working alongside the students in the field, and I cherish my role as a university professor. I thrive when I am amidst my students. Increasingly, students are returning to Cetamura each year, and they are a vital part of my journey.”

This marks de Grummond’s third recognition from the institute. In 2015, she was awarded the AIA’s Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award for her classroom endeavors, and in 2022 she received the AIA’s Martha and Artemis Joukowsky Distinguished Service Award for her extensive contributions to the institute at local, regional, and national levels. According to AIA officials, she is the first archaeologist to receive these three honors. After her tenure as president of the Tallahassee Society of the AIA, she assisted the University of Florida in establishing its own AIA chapter. De Grummond also served on the program committee, the Gold Medal Award committee, the executive committee, among other groups within the institute.

Beyond her fieldwork, de Grummond has authored four volumes and edited 12 publications on Etruscan art, religion, history, and the excavation of Cetamura del Chianti. She organized 16 public exhibitions and was instrumental in founding the Museum of the Origins of Chianti, which opened in 2023 just a few kilometers from the Cetamura site, showcasing archaeological exhibits and discoveries from Cetamura, an art gallery, histories of Chianti’s vineyards and landscapes, and more.

At FSU, de Grummond has received numerous accolades, grants, and distinctions from the university. She is an elected fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, as well as the Instituto Nazionale di Studi Etruschi ed Italici, or INSEI, in Italy. She holds the presidency for the North American section of INSEI, and her research on the Etruscans inspired her to author and co-edit “Etruscan Cities and Communities,” a series of historical volumes published by the University of Texas Press.

“As a significant, motivational, and generous scholar, Nancy’s contributions have not only transformed our understanding of the Etruscans but have also positively influenced the lives of countless students,” Stover noted.

To discover more about research in the Department of Classics, visit classics.fsu.edu. Learn more about the Cetamura del Chianti archaeological site online.

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