Patti Wright

Patti Wright is an Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of Anthropology, Sociology and Languages at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. She holds a PhD in Anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis (1985-1998). Her research focuses on paleoethnobotany, investigating the interplay between people and plants in prehistoric contexts, particularly the development of agriculture in the Midwest. Her work examines crop domestication techniques, plant processing methods, and the sociocultural implications of agricultural practices. She has conducted fieldwork in the Lower Missouri and Middle Mississippi River valleys, and recently expanded to northeastern Arkansas. Her methodological contributions include studies on plant preservation, carbonization processes, and archaeological recovery techniques. Wright also emphasizes applied archaeology, serving as Curator of Native American Ethnology at the Missouri History Museum and contributing to public programming at the Springs Preserve in Nevada. Her courses include Archaeological Field School, Methods, and Advanced Topics in Anthropology.

Education:

• PhD in Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis (1985–1998)

Research Interests: Her work bridges archaeology and ethnobotany, with core themes in:

• Paleoethnobotanical methodologies
• Midwest agricultural development
• Crop selection strategies
• Plant preservation dynamics
• Public archaeology and museum curation

Publications: Focused on plant remains analysis, experimental archaeology, and cultural implications of food systems. Recent work includes studies on carbonization effects, seed preservation, and Mississippian agricultural systems.

Labs/Teams: Engages with interdisciplinary teams studying prehistoric plant use, including collaborations on carbonization experiments and regional agricultural histories.