Unearthing a Passion for Ethnobotany

Kai Hearty spent the summer abroad taking an archeological methods course in the foothills of the Troodos mountains near the coastal town of Polis, Cyprus. Hearty is a rising junior, studying Plant Biology with minors in Anthropology and Toxicology. 

Hearty was one member of a group of NC State students traveling with Professors Kathryn Grossman and Tate Paulette from the Departments of Anthropology and Sociology, and History at NC State. Together the team excavated, sampled, and mapped the site outside of Polis, Cyprus. They worked on previously unidentified features in the site and identified additional locations to excavate. Their discoveries have paved the way for an additional year of the summer program to further catalog these new sites.

Hearty was drawn to this program by an interest in the region and plans to work as an ethnobotanist in the Mediterranean and Middle East. Ethnobotany is the study of the relationships between people and plants. Hearty’s minors in Anthropology and Toxicology feed into this goal, providing a unique perspective and context into the history and uses of plants discovered in archeological sites. 

“As for my favorite place, it was probably the original site we were working at, because that’s where I got to do what I was passionate about, which is working hands-on. I wasn’t there for a touristy travel experience, I was there to do field work and learn about what I want to be doing in the future in my career.”

During the trip, the group visited sites across Cyprus, giving Hearty the opportunity to explore some of the local flora of Cyprus. Hearty put botanical skills to use identifying the fennel and wild legume species growing across the island. 

The trip also offered Hearty further insight on the need to find a balance with how energy is spent between the lab, field and academics. Hearty plans to continue to pursue field work as a key part of Hearty’s future career and encourages other students to study abroad, with an emphasis on the support available from mentors and other students while traveling. 

You will be with people who can support you and make sure you’re as comfortable as possible abroad. If you think you have anything to gain from studying abroad, just go for it. It is absolutely worth it.