2024
Resilience research in geoarchaeological investigations of Mediterranean urban sites
Urban Geoarchaeology, CNRS Editions
Chapter
Specialist analytical support for archaeology
Dr. Rachel Kulick
Geoarchaeology and soil micromorphology support for excavation strategy, site-formation analysis, and sampling design where interpretive precision matters.
For excavation directors, project PIs, heritage consultants, and report authors.
Soil micromorphology
Site-formation analysis
Urban geoarchaeology
Sampling strategy
Mediterranean contexts
PhD 2017
University of Toronto
6 publications
2 journal articles, 3 chapters, 1 dissertation
3 field regions
Crete, Cyprus, Hawaii
SAS officer
Vice President, Intersociety Relations
01
About
Dr. Rachel Kulick is a geoarchaeologist specializing in soil micromorphology, microstratigraphy, and the interpretation of complex archaeological deposits.
Her work connects Bronze Age Aegean and eastern Mediterranean urbanism with broader questions of resilience, environmental change, and the lived dynamics of built space. It is strongest where context must be read precisely, not just described.
Her work spans excavation planning, post-excavation interpretation, and publication-stage analysis for teams that need technical reasoning as well as clear written outcomes.
02
Publications
2021
Tephrochronology and micromorphology of Theran tephra deposits at Palaikastro, Crete
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 36:102884
Peer-reviewed
2021
Urbanism from the Ground Up: Investigating the Socio-Environmental Dynamics of Bronze Age and Iron Age Cyprus using soil and sediment micromorphology
Archaeology in the Smallest Realm, pp. 61-80
Chapter
2019
Urban micromorphology: A microecological narrative of a Neopalatial neighborhood at Bronze Age Palaikastro, Crete
Geoarchaeology 34(4): 430-447
Peer-reviewed
2017
Urban Soil Micromorphology at Bronze Age Palaikastro, Crete: A Geoarchaeological Investigation of Site Formation Processes
University of Toronto (Canada), ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 10635741
Dissertation
2013
Geoarchaeology on the micro- and macro-scale: Case studies from Crete
Archaeology, Peoples, and Landscapes: Essays in Honor of Jenna Higgins, pp. 77-106
Chapter
03
Project Contexts
Palace and Landscape at Palaikastro
A core research context for urban micromorphology, Theran tephra deposits, and built-environment interpretation at Bronze Age Palaikastro.
Kalavasos and Maroni Built-Environments
Publication and conference work on terraces, building contexts, and socio-environmental dynamics investigated through geoarchaeological methods.
Palehua Archaeology Project
Part of Dr. Rachel Kulick's broader field experience and comparative perspective beyond Mediterranean settings.
Urban Geoarchaeology and Resilience
Work framing geoarchaeological investigation as a way to understand resilience, urban change, and human-environment dynamics.
04
Engagements
Engagements range from early-stage review and sampling strategy to on-site field deployment, logistics coordination, and publication-stage interpretation.
Engagements are fee-based and scoped to project needs, travel requirements, and analytical complexity. Reach out for a discussion on pricing, timelines, and whether remote or travel-based support is the better fit.
01
Rapid Project Review
Focused review of contexts, risks, and next-step analytical options.
Deliverable: Action memo and strategy call.
Best for: Teams deciding how to allocate field or lab budget before committing.
02
Sampling Strategy and Field Deployment
Context selection, sampling priorities, and alignment between excavation decisions and interpretive goals, with the option for travel-based field engagement to carry out sampling directly on site.
Deliverable: Technical protocol packet, field briefing, and if needed on-site sampling implementation.
Best for: Projects entering or planning a new field phase and needing specialist sampling done correctly from the outset.
03
Sample Logistics and Analysis Coordination
Support for post-collection handling, documentation, packaging, and shipping coordination so samples arrive ready for analysis without avoidable gaps in provenance or preparation.
Deliverable: Shipping and handling workflow matched to the analytical plan.
Best for: Teams collecting samples in the field and needing a clean path from excavation to laboratory analysis.
04
Micromorphology Interpretation
Thin-section analysis and context interpretation, translated into report-ready narrative and figure support.
Deliverable: Technical memo or publication-ready section text.
Best for: Post-excavation teams preparing compliance reports or manuscripts.
05
Embedded Specialist Support
Ongoing analytical oversight across meetings, report review, and technical QA.
Deliverable: Monthly allocation with priority response.
Best for: Multi-season projects or complex reporting pipelines.
05
Contact
Available for consulting engagements, research collaboration, invited talks, and specialist analytical support. Request a consultation to discuss scope, timing, and pricing.
Inquiries are welcome for field, post-excavation, and publication-stage work. A useful inquiry should include project location, current phase, timeline, whether support is remote or travel-based, and whether you need sampling design, on-site sampling, shipping coordination, interpretive analysis, publication development, or broader geoarchaeological strategy.