Timeless Techniques: Hellenistic Gold Jewellery in the Era of AI Lecture

About this lecture

This lecture focuses upon the early Hellenistic period of the 4th Century BC, the golden era of Alexander the Great, when the jeweller’s craft reached its highest level of expertise.

Specialised techniques were developed and perfected in the royal Macedonian workshops. For the first time - light reflection, miniature and micro techniques were focused upon.

Timeless and transformative goldsmithing techniques such as these have always required a rigorous personal discipline in combination with an extraordinary level of technical knowledge.

Thus, the question arises – will individual human craft skills be challenged and/or replicated by machines in the current era of AI?

Event details

Date: Thursday 16 April 2026
Time: Reception from 5:30pm for 6pm–7pm Lecture
Location: RD Milns Antiquities Museum, Level 2, Building 9 (Michie), The University of Queensland, St Lucia
Cost: Free, registration required

Please RSVP by Monday 13 April 2026.

About our speaker

Monica M. Jackson is a Research Associate in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Sydney and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, London.

She received her B.A. in Ancient History and Anthropology from the University of Queensland, her PhD in Classical Archaeology at The University of Sydney. Her particular area of research is focused upon the techniques and chronology of ancient Hellenistic jewellery as archaeological evidence.

Her PhD dissertation Hellenistic Gold Eros Jewellery: Technique, Style and Chronology was published by British Archaeological Reports in 2006 and digitised in 2020. The thesis is considered the authoritative work in this area.  

Monica has presented papers on international cruises and at prestigious venues both in Australia and overseas. Her most recent publication is a monograph of the gold jewellery in the Benaki Museum Athens, where it was launched in 2017. Her current project is a monograph and catalogue of the Stathatos Collection of Hellenistic gold jewellery at the National Archaeological Museum, Athens.

Enquiries: engagement@hass.uq.edu.au