We sat down with Darius Arya, a renowned archaeologist and historian, to explore how the ancient world can offer valuable lessons for our future. Darius, whose work spans the ruins of Rome to the hidden gems of the Mediterranean, believes that understanding the complexities and achievements of past civilizations can illuminate pathways to solving contemporary challenges. His insights reveal how the stories etched in ancient stones can inspire innovation, resilience, and a deeper connection to our shared humanity.

____________________

How do you perceive the relationship between ancient history and modern society?

There is always an ongoing dialogue between the two. People today are very busy and sometimes they forget or aren’t aware—but if you have any sense of history, whether from your studies as a child or later in life, it’s easy to see that conversation happening. The sum of who we are today is deeply rooted in the past. Engaging with that is essential. These days, travel also opens a vast window into past civilizations.

Can you give us a good example of how understanding the past has influenced contemporary technology?

My background is in Roman archaeology and history. Take concrete, one of our primary building materials, which dates back to the Romans. They used concrete in numerous ways, often combined with brick facing. If you look at our cities over the past hundred years, that same fired  brick is still a predominant material, as well as concrete. Roman technology surrounds us. Scientifically, we can analyze their materials, which were engineered to last millennia, and understand its longevity. Modern concrete, by contrast, is designed to last just a few hundred years. The Pantheon, standing for almost 1,900 years, exemplifies this enduring engineering. Today, concrete is among the most emissions-intensive materials, and there’s a global push to decarbonize it. By adopting aspects of Roman techniques for concrete, which has a lower carbon dioxide output, we could significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, demonstrating how the past can directly shape our future.

What period in history would you want to go back to? What made you initially want to enter the field you are in?

I’d love to witness the inaugural games of the Colosseum or a triumphal procession—a grand parade through the city following a victorious war. It would have been an extraordinary display, with troops, senators, and captured soldiers parading through Rome, ending with the emperor in his chariot. These events are vividly detailed in ancient sources.

My journey began with mythology, which captivated me with its incredible stories. These tales led me to explore the culture, history, museums, and eventually, the languages. Without understanding Latin and Greek, you can’t fully participate in this field, so I immersed myself in them, studied abroad, and realized archaeology was the perfect blend of my interests. Eventually, I moved to Italy—why stay in America when I could teach on location, right in the thick of history?

How do you see artificial intelligence and similar technologies transforming the fields of archeology and how people engage with history? 

AI, especially in creating immersive experiences, is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it offers unparalleled access to information; on the other, it can shortcut true learning if not carefully managed. As long as there’s a strong foundation of knowledge, AI can amplify these experiences. My concern is that people might lean too heavily on shortcuts.

AI also helps overcome resource constraints. For example, drones now capture aerial footage that once required helicopters. Accurate digital recreations with AI are game changers. There are so many ways we can leverage this. Gamification is one way of learning. The famous example back in the day was the original Assassin’s Creed. I was walking around with a family friend and their little kids recognized a famous church. When we asked them how they knew that, they said it was because they had killed someone there – in the game. It’s possible to create something fun and engaging but that is totally wrong. The challenge is balancing authenticity with engagement—striking that balance is crucial.

In my experience consulting for several video games, I witnessed how you can give them all the resources they need and they still go off in their own direction. The same can happen with movies or series – but that’s just artistic license. Take a great product like the film Gladiator, which really resonated with people. It wasn’t because of the accuracy of the costumes or the architecture. It was the compelling story. That’s what we’re all searching for: compelling people, the depth of a story . In antiquity, the material is already there for us to mine, engage with, and share.

How do you engage such wide audiences?

I straddle the line between academia and public engagement. Content can appeal to both the general public and scholars. A good example is the former director of the Uffizi Gallery in Tuscany, who encouraged younger crowds to experiment with TikTok—previously unheard of for state institutions in Italy. The reception was fantastic.

Language is also key. The world is learning from you, so you do want to reach a wide audience. Too often I’ve seen institutions and sites of great value in Italy that only disseminate and share their unique content in Italian, so it’s a missed opportunity to reach that larger audience out there.

What role does social media play in your work?

My wife, a journalist, was an early adopter of Twitter and encouraged me to use it. It led me to international journalists and from there, to Instagram and Facebook. I still post daily, reaching a wide, interactive audience. It’s a way to keep in touch with a diverse base of followers and hear from them. They often drive the content with their interests and questions.

The ancients themselves were meticulous record-keepers, with message boards, wax tablets, and graffiti. I think if ancient Romans saw what we have now, they’d be amazed but also understand our methods—they were all about documenting and sharing information.

How sustainable was life in ancient cities?

Incredibly sustainable. They recycled everything, with nothing petroleum-based. A broken mug was repurposed into concrete; broken glass was melted down to create new glass. We have an opportunity to look at past cultures for insights and to return to these principles today whenever possible.

What future technologies are you most excited or concerned about in historical research and presentation?

Often, new technology is initially met with claims of revolution and fear of disrupting the established norms in scholarship, but we always adapt. What I’ve learned is that if some new technology  is introduced to the field, study it, experiment with it, and possibly embrace it. Make yourself familiar with it. In archaeology, tech advancements like photogrammetry, drones, and better recording tools have come to  transform our field. Despite this, traditional excavations  remain crucial. However, technology now offers a better preliminary picture before excavation even  begins and better documentation during the dig.  And sometimes you don’t even dig. It just depends on the questions you are trying to answer.

How might climate change impact archaeology?

Rising sea levels threaten to submerge hundreds of world heritage sites along the Mediterranean coast. While Venice might be saved (witness the multi-billion dollar Mose project to address alta acqua in the lagoon), many lesser-known sites, like those in Libya, may be lost.The reality is that conservation experts have to make drastic choices because there are not the resources to save all these sites. The challenge is to document these sites before they’re gone, and technology can help preserve them digitally. That’s probably the best we can hope for! 

What’s your favorite part of your work?

I love sharing, communicating, and collaborating. Right now, I’m focused on guiding tourists away from the overcrowded Vatican and Colosseum to equally incredible sites just an hour outside Rome. Experiencing antiquity should be intimate, not a conveyor belt of mass tourism.

What advice do you have for young archaeologists or historians?

In classical archaeology, language skills are crucial. You may not need a PhD, but if you do, you’ll need proficiency in Latin, Greek, and often German, French, or Italian. It’s a long, challenging path. Translation services won’t suffice—knowing the languages connects you with the culture. Also, familiarize yourself with related fields, from social media to drone piloting or AutoCAD. These skills make you more employable.

What message would you convey to future archaeologists?

Our field isn’t just ours; it’s for everyone. Academia often has a possessive atmosphere, but the younger generation is more open. Changing this mindset will draw more people in, making archaeology more accessible and exciting.

Why do you love ancient Rome?

The Roman Empire’s legacy is unparalleled, with remnants visible across North Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and beyond. The Romans organized these regions, often serving as the starting point of their histories. We have so much preserved from their era—physically, historically, and in literature. Preserving this knowledge is essential, as it forms the backbone of modern Western culture and society. There’s so much to learn from Rome, lessons that are crucial for both our present and future.