Cameron Gokee

Dr. Cameron Gokee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Appalachian State University. He specializes in anthropological archaeology with a focus on African archaeology, village communities, borderlands dynamics, and spatial analysis. His research integrates archaeological methods with political ecology and contemporary social issues, particularly in Francophone West Africa and the US-Mexico borderlands.

Education:

• Ph.D. 2012, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• M.A. 2006, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• B.A. 2002, Case Western Reserve University

Research Interests:

• Historical archaeology of village life in the Upper Gambia River region
• Community archaeology in Black Appalachia (Junaluska Project)
• Undocumented migration studies in the US-Mexico borderlands
• Spatial analysis methodologies in archaeology
• Ceramic analysis for reconstructing ethnic identity

Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to border studies, integrating archaeological evidence with contemporary human rights issues. He has conducted long-term fieldwork in Senegal and collaborative projects in North Carolina, focusing on heritage preservation and decolonial methodologies.

Grants/Advising: No specific grants or advisees listed, but actively collaborates with international teams such as the Undocumented Migration Project and directs multiple archaeological projects. He has published widely on topics ranging from transatlantic slavery to modern border infrastructures.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Bandafassi Regional Archaeological Project and co-directs the Junaluska Community Archaeology Project, emphasizing community-engaged research practices.