Picture an American archaeologist-turned-author who unearths ancient mysteries and spins them into thrilling tales for young adventurers—meet Jordan Jacobs! With a passion for mummies, castles, and Indiana Jones, Jacobs has captivated readers through his Samantha Sutton series, blending real-world archaeology with heart-pounding mystery. His globe-trotting career and deep-rooted love for history make his stories a treasure trove of adventure and learning.
Now serving as Head of Cultural Policy at UC Berkeley’s Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology, Jacobs draws from his experiences in over 50 countries to craft novels that inspire curiosity about the past. Ready to dig into his story? Let’s explore the life and works of this remarkable storyteller!
The Making of Jordan Jacobs
Born with a fascination for ancient civilizations, Jordan Jacobs embarked on his first archaeological dig at just 13 in California’s Sierra Nevada. This early adventure sparked a lifelong passion, leading him to study at prestigious institutions like Stanford, Oxford, and Cambridge. His career took him to the Smithsonian, the American Museum of Natural History, and UNESCO’s Paris headquarters, where he focused on protecting archaeological sites in developing nations. These experiences, coupled with travels to places like Cambodia’s palaces and Guatemala’s Mayan heartland, shaped his unique perspective as both a scholar and a storyteller.
Jordan Jacobs’s Unforgettable Stories
Jacobs’s Samantha Sutton series is where his archaeological expertise and storytelling prowess collide. The series follows 12-year-old Samantha, an aspiring archaeologist, as she navigates perilous digs with her uncle Jay. In Samantha Sutton and the Labyrinth of Lies, set at Peru’s Chavín de Huántar, Samantha uncovers missing artifacts and confronts looters, blending real archaeological ethics with gripping suspense. Samantha Sutton and the Winter of the Warrior Queen takes readers to Cambridge, England, where Samantha races to prove a site’s link to Queen Boudica, battling a scheming developer.
The third book, Samantha Sutton and the Temple of Traitors, whisks Samantha to Cambodia’s jungles, where she faces minefields and shady allies to protect ancient ruins. Jacobs’s style is vivid and immersive, weaving cultural details, historical context, and ethical dilemmas into fast-paced mysteries. His novels, aimed at middle-grade readers but enjoyed by adults, make archaeology accessible and thrilling, earning praise for their authenticity and relatable characters.
Jacobs’s commitment to accuracy shines through, drawing from his fieldwork to depict the realities of excavation—minus the Indiana Jones-style treasure hunts. His stories tackle complex issues like repatriation and site preservation, making them both educational and entertaining. Readers young and old find themselves rooting for Samantha, a resourceful heroine who embodies curiosity and courage.
Why Jordan Jacobs Matters
Jordan Jacobs’s impact extends beyond his novels. Through the Samantha Sutton series, he ignites a passion for archaeology in young readers, showing them that history is a living, breathing adventure. His work at UC Berkeley’s Hearst Museum, where he spearheaded repatriation efforts from 2015 to 2019, reflects his dedication to cultural preservation and ethical stewardship. By bridging fiction and real-world issues, Jacobs inspires a new generation to value and protect our global heritage.
His books also challenge the romanticized view of archaeology in pop culture, offering a grounded yet thrilling alternative. Fans and educators alike praise his ability to make science accessible, with the series aligning with educational standards for history and social studies. Jacobs’s legacy is one of curiosity, respect for the past, and storytelling that unearths the human spirit.
- Key Works: Samantha Sutton series (Labyrinth of Lies, Winter of the Warrior Queen, Temple of Traitors)
- Notable Role: Head of Cultural Policy, Phoebe Hearst Museum (2015–2019)
- Education: Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge
- Fun Fact: Has traveled to over 50 countries for research and archaeology
Snag Samantha Sutton and the Labyrinth of Lies and dive into Jordan Jacobs’s thrilling world of archaeological adventure! Whether you’re a history buff or a mystery lover, his stories will leave you eager to uncover the next clue.