Janet Stephens, independent scholar and hairstylist
"In Comis Veritas: The Principles of Ancient Roman Hairdress"

Humanities Forum, Ancient Studies Week
Dresher Center for the Humanities

Wednesday, October 14 | 4 pm
Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery

Through her groundbreaking research, professional hairdresser and self-trained experimental archaeologist Janet Stephens rediscovered the methods used to recreate ancient Roman hairstyles using only natural hair rather than wigs, as was previously believed to have been worn. In this lecture and demonstration she will explain the universal rules governing hair behavior so that you too may recognize the truth in any hairstyle, ancient Roman or modern.

Janet Stephens is a professional hairdresser in Baltimore Maryland. She is a self-trained experimental archaeologist specializing in the technical recreation of ancient Mediterranean hairstyles. Her groundbreaking 2008 article, “Ancient Roman hairdressing: on (hair) pins and needles” was published in the prestigious Journal of Roman Archaeology. She presents her work internationally at museums, universities and archaeological conferences. Her work has been covered by the Wall Street Journal, NPR, the BBC, and she has created dozens of historical hairdressing tutorials for her popular YouTube channel. She holds a B.A. in Dramatic Arts from Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington.

Sponsored by the UMBC Ancient Studies Department and the Dresher Center for the Humanities.