Marie Swartz was born and raised in Northwest Ohio and had an early interest in “old artifacts”, particularly her grandmother’s extensive collection of mid-century tchotchkes. This interest eventually grew into a fascination with art and objects, the motivations of individuals and societies, and of the natural world. Upon graduating high school, she realized that these interests could be further explored under the umbrella of archaeology.

This led her to earn her associate degree in archaeology at Hocking College in 2013. Immediately, she began work at the Hocking College Archaeology Laboratory while simultaneously interning with the Southeastern Ohio History Center. While interning, she combined archival research with objects from the collection to garner a greater understanding of the Athens Asylum at the turn of the century. Later, she began work as a Preservation Technician with the Ohio University Libraries Preservation Department. These experiences instilled a passion for museum, archives, and archaeological laboratory work. She then began a career in Cultural Resource Management, conducting fieldwork both in Ohio and across the country while gaining firsthand knowledge about field collection methods and a love for dirt.

Demonstrating how to construct customized boxes for old books at the Southeast Ohio History Center.

During her time in Cultural Resources Management, she completed a certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Columbus State Community College and earned her bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Ohio State University while volunteering at the Ohio History Center within the Archaeology department. She later pursued a research project as an intern which focused on the collections obtained from rock shelter sites located in Southeast Ohio.

Fieldwork in Rochester, NY, during a polar vortex (it got down to -30 degrees!).

Marie’s archaeological interests include Fort Ancient era material culture, the post-contact period prior to Statehood, textiles and other perishable objects. Additionally, she finds the history of Ohio archaeology almost as fascinating as Ohio archaeology itself.