Dr Michael Curtis
Michael is a landscape and coastal archaeologist, author, and broadcaster with a special interest in Roman ports and harbours. He is an Honorary Fellow at the School of Archaeology & Ancient History at the University of Leicester. His academic journey began with undergraduate studies in archaeology at the University of Southampton, followed by a Master's in Archaeology at the University of Nottingham. He attained his PhD. on the Imperial Ports and Harbours of Crete at the University of Leicester.
Michael’s love of archaeology and history began in childhood, and he has been excavating sites for over 50 years. Crete has been Michael's main focus since 2015 – an island he has explored extensively in the books and articles he has written, the papers he’s given at numerous conferences, and on-the-ground fieldwork. Across a wide-ranging life and career, he has worked in the civil service, created fashion and record companies, managed pop bands, set up music concerts and jazz festivals and owned a bookshop. He is now the co-owner of My Ancient World Learning, a company dedicated to lifelong learning in archaeology, ancient history, and classical studies.
Michael brings a wealth of experience to expert-led archaeological tours, having guided groups through diverse historical landscapes—from the prehistoric cave art of the Dordogne to the monumental ancient sites of Greece.
What previous guests have to say about Mike:
"an excellent tour. The itinerary wass thoughtfully constructed to support the narrative of Crete’s history and culture provided by the guides. Mike was very interesting, his insights and support were incredibly valuable." Deborah Hunn
"10/10 across the board." Rick Arnebeck
