A hairstylist with no archaeology degree solved an ancient Roman mystery scholars got wrong for centuries
Janet Stephens, a Baltimore-based hairstylist, has turned conventional archaeological wisdom on its head by solving a centuries-old mystery about Roman hairstyles. Her journey began in 2001 when she noticed, while visiting The Walters Art Museum, that the Roman busts' hair didn't seem to rely on wigs, as previously thought. Instead, Stephens proposed that the Romans used needle and thread to sew the braids into place. Her relentless experimentation and historical research, including her innovative interpretation of the Latin word 'acus,' revealed that these gravity-defying styles were ingeniously crafted without wigs.
Stephens' work has not only been published in the Journal of Roman Archaeology but also presented at the Archaeological Institute of America. Her findings challenge the scholarly consensus and underscore the value of approaching historical mysteries with both practical and academic perspectives. Her story is a testament to how unique insights can emerge from diverse experiences and how passion can lead to groundbreaking discoveries in fields far removed from one's own.
Constructive analysis
The constructive-journalism lens: not just what happened, but what works.
- The problem
- The long-held scholarly belief that intricate Roman hairstyles were created using wigs.
- The actions
- Janet Stephens engaged in hands-on experiments and historical research, questioning traditional interpretations and testing new hypotheses.
- Evidence of progress
- She successfully recreated the hairstyles using needle and thread, leading to her findings being recognized by academic journals and institutions.
- What we can learn
- Others can learn the importance of bridging practical experience with academic research to challenge and expand existing knowledge.
PERMA wellbeing profile of this story
Seligman's five pillars of wellbeing, as expressed in this story.
- Positive Emotion
- 8
- Engagement
- 9
- Relationships
- 6
- Meaning
- 8
- Accomplishment
- 10
Character strengths in play
Top VIA strengths this story embodies.
Curiosity
Stephens became particularly interested in ancient hairdressing after a visit to The Walters Art Museum.
Perseverance
Despite her initial failures and the challenge of working outside her field, she committed herself to years of experimentation and research.
Perspective
Her ability to ask different questions led to the discovery that Roman hairstyles were sewn into place rather than being wig-based.
Try this today
Inspired by Stephens' story, try to view a problem you face from a new angle. Approach it with both theoretical knowledge and practical experimentation to uncover innovative solutions.