Heather Smith

Heather Smith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Texas State University. Her primary research focuses on Paleoindian Archaeology, particularly human dispersals during the last Ice Age and lithic technological adaptations. She employs geometric morphometrics, GIS, and 3D scanning to analyze fluted-point technologies and cultural transmission patterns across North America and Beringia. Smith co-leads the Texas Beyond History project, integrating public archaeology with academic research. She teaches courses such as CRM Archaeology, Texas Archaeology, and Archaeological Field Methods, and mentors students in M.A. and Ph.D. programs. Current projects include revisiting the Spring Lake site for geoarchaeological studies and expanding lithic datasets through student collaboration.

• Education: Ph.D. in Anthropology (Texas A&M University, 2015)
• Key Research Areas: Human Dispersals, Lithic Technology, Arctic Archaeology
• Labs/Teams: Texas State Archaeology Lab, Texas Beyond History

Her research emphasizes interdisciplinary methods to explore early human migration and technological innovation, with a focus on Clovis and Dalton cultures. Students under her guidance work on projects ranging from morphometric analyses to field investigations at Spring Lake.