Passion for ancient past drives grad student’s present success

When Connor O’Rourke (BA ’24) tells people he researches the mortuary practices of ancient civilizations, he is often told his work sounds macabre and perhaps a little weird.

But for the Master of Arts (MA) in Classics student, exploring how ancient societies approached death reveals fascinating insight into how they lived.

“Understanding these practices helps paint a vibrant picture of ancient cultural beliefs that deepen our understanding of the prehistoric past,” he said.

O’Rourke’s research has been turning heads in the field, recently earning first place in the Classical Association of Canada’s Undergraduate Essay Contest for his essay “Cult Classics: Helen’s Divinely Heroic Worship at the Menelaion.”

Runner up in second place was MA in Classics student Kathy Pye for “The Unchanging Definition of Beauty: Homer’s Helen to Dario di Giovanni’s Abduction Series in the Quattrocento.”

In January, O’Rourke was also awarded the coveted Best Student Poster Award at the 2025 Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) Annual Meeting held in downtown Philadelphia, PA.

Angus Smith, Professor and Chair of the Department of Classics and Archaeology, said the event is the most important annual conference for Classical and Mediterranean Archaeology in North America.

“Connor combined specific knowledge he gained from at least three different classes as an undergraduate and now a master’s student, retaining and synthesizing both data and methodology to put this poster together,” he said.

Both O’Rourke’s research essay and poster were inspired by an examination of various representations of Helen of Troy through material culture and literary analysis.

Specializing in art and archaeology, O’Rourke is fascinated by the Aegean Bronze Age, particularly in the burial practices of the ancient Minoan civilization on the island of Crete.

O’Rourke said that studying burials is an informative approach to gaining insight into a society’s belief systems, revealing shifts in societal attitudes toward the treatment of the deceased over time.

“Other ancient sites, such as those where people lived or worked, have disappeared or been erased in some way. Burial sites, however, often act as time capsules, though their preservation varies greatly,” he said.

Exploring trade and connectivity between Minoan sites and, on a larger Mediterranean scale, examining the Minoans’ interactions with mainland Greece, Anatolia, the LevantI ha and Egypt is also an area of interest for O’Rourke.

“Many don’t think of the Bronze Age as a time of widespread trade and cross-cultural exchange, yet we find tin from Cornwall, England; Minoan wall paintings at Tell el-Dab’a, Egypt; and even a pair of Minoan sandals gifted to the king of Babylon and later returned to Crete,” he said.

Over the summer, O’Rourke will further develop his skills in analyzing pottery and other materials travelling to Crete with Smith and other researchers to gain experience at the Institute for Aegean Prehistory Study Center for East Crete.

Elizabeth Greene, Professor of Classics and Archaeology, said providing undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to conduct archaeological fieldwork abroad has been a core component of the department since its founding.

“Classics and Archaeology students regularly join faculty projects around the Mediterranean on land and underwater, in the field, the lab and the museum. For many, these opportunities form the basis of longer-term research projects and collaborations,” she said.

O’Rourke said his graduate experience so far has been a lot of work, but incredibly rewarding.

“I’m deeply grateful to my professors for their guidance and perspectives,” he said.


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