Nicole Isenbarger

Nicole Isenbarger is a Lecturer in the Department of Anthropology and Geography at Coastal Carolina University, affiliated with the College of Education and Social Sciences. Her research focuses on the archaeological and cultural analysis of enslaved African communities in the South Carolina Lowcountry, particularly examining household pottery production as a lens into social and economic dynamics.

• Education:
  • M.A. in Anthropology, University of South Carolina
  • B.S. in Anthropology, College of Charleston

Isenbarger’s work bridges the African Diaspora, Plantation Archaeology, and Colonoware ceramic studies. She investigates how enslaved families used craft production to navigate survival, autonomy, and cultural expression, such as her studies at Dean Hall Plantation where pottery served both domestic and commercial purposes.

Her research trends include analyzing household economies, material culture, and colonial-era social structures through archaeological evidence. This aligns with broader fields like Cultural Anthropology and Historical Geography.

• Scientific Awards:
  • 2010 South Carolina African American Heritage Commission Individual Award for ‘Preserving our Places in History’

Isenbarger contributes to the Primates, People & Prehistory Lab and teaches courses related to primatology, human prehistory, and societal development.