Team Members

Frost Town Archaeology is directed by Alexander J. Smith, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the College at Brockport – SUNY. He has excavated and surveyed in many places around the world, including Jordan, Guatemala, Rhode Island, and Montserrat. He also continues to work in Spain and Italy. For more information click here.

Bekah Leathersich Mertus (Brockport ’19, Ohio State ’23) is Assistant Director of Frost Town Archaeology and has been working with Dr. Smith and FTA since 2017 as a trench supervisor and archaeology camp counselor. Bekah has also worked at Petra, Jordan and at the Franklin Conservatory and Botanical Garden. For more information click here.

Seth Price (Jacobs Consulting) is a remote sensing specialist, primarily working in rural Peru and the Mediterranean. Seth has been working with FTA since 2021 as a LiDAR and drone specialist. Seth received his graduate education from University of Arkansas. For more information, click here.

Miriam Rothenberg (Oxford University) is a historical archaeologist of the Caribbean, but also works in Greece, Italy, and with Frost Town since 2022. Miriam is a community-engaged public archaeologist and local to the Finger Lakes region. For more information, click here.

Timothy Sandiford (Rhode Island School of Design) is a specialist in Northeastern American historical archaeology as well as an expert in GIS and Remote sensing. Tim has been working with Frost Town since 2021, spearheading LiDAR and survey operations at the site. Tim received his graduate education from Brown University and University College London. For more information, click here.

Michael Garth (Brown ’19, Iceland ’20 MA) joined FTA in 2019 for their first season as a trench supervisor. He received his MA from Iceland University in Medieval Icelandic Studies and has worked with Dr. Smith since 2018 as part of the Sinis Archaeological Project. Trench Supervisor 2019 and 2022.

Rani Gill (Brockport ’19, Binghamton ’21) has been working with Dr. Smith and FTA since 2017 as a trench supervisor and has also worked at Petra, Jordan. She received her MA in Public Archaeology at Binghamton University. Trench Supervisor 2019 and 2022.

Emily Russell (Brockport ’23) has been working with FTA since 2019. Emily was a field school student in 2019 and returned in 2022 as a trench supervisor. Emily works at the George Eastman House in Rochester, NY. Trench Supervisor 2022.

Samantha Russello (Brockport ’19, Binghamton ’21) worked with Dr. Smith and FTA starting in 2017 as a trench supervisor and has also worked in Israel and Poverty Point, LA. She received a MA in Public Archaeology at Binghamton University. Trench supervisor 2019.

Max Traub (Brockport ’20) has worked with FTA since 2019, starting as a field school student and then returning in 2022 as a trench supervisor. Max is currently working at the Strong National Museum of Play. Trench supervisor 2022.

Chris Vidler (Brockport ’23) has worked with FTA since 2019 first as a field school student and then returning as a trench supervisor in 2022. Trench supervisor 2022.

Emma Wagner (Brockport ’19) has been working with Frost Town Archaeology since 2017 as a trench supervisor, participating in many public outreach events throughout her time with the project, and has also worked in Petra, Jordan. Emma is pursuing a MA in Zooarchaeology at the North Carolina State University. Trench Supervisor 2019 and 2022.

Emily Yahn (Brockport ’23) joined FTA in 2019 as a field school student and returned as a trench supervisor in 2022 and intern in 2023. Emily currently works for the Capitol Visitor’s Center in Washington, D.C. and is an expert on on historic dolls. Trench Supervisor 2022.

In 2022, we had thirteen undergraduate students pictured here with the team. Top row (left to right): Sebastian Sanchirico, Thea Grube, Kathren Sage, Audrey Gallina, Demetrius Schwartz (RIT), Sydney Salisburg, and Eliya Cooper (Geneseo). Bottom row (left to right): , Alex Mercando, Evelyn Patterson, Kathryn Cosman (Cortland), Bryant Sweeney, and Dylan Weinreber (Mercyhurst). Not pictured: Elijah Hanebury (Rutgers).

In 2019, we had six undergraduate students pictured here with Dr. Smith: Brandon Amthor, Alyssa Bressette, Emily Russell, Max Traub, Chris Vidler, and Emily Yahn.