Payson Sheets

Payson Sheets is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Colorado. Holding a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania (1974), his research spans Mesoamerica and lower Central America, focusing on societal responses to explosive volcanic eruptions and commoner agency in prehistoric contexts.

• Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1974

His work investigates how egalitarian and complex societies adapt to environmental catastrophes, particularly through the lens of the Maya at Joya de Cerén (El Salvador) and Arenal region (Costa Rica), where volcanic ash preserved ancient lifeways. He pioneered remote sensing techniques (aircraft/satellite) to explore buried archaeological layers, revealing manioc cultivation that outproduced maize by 15x in carbohydrate yield.

The 15 most recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to volcanic impacts, agricultural practices, and socio-cultural memory. Key themes include GIS modeling of culinary practices, sacbe (ancient pathways) analysis, and post-disaster societal resilience.

Scientific Awards:

• National Science Foundation Grant

His collaborations with researchers like Tom Sever, Jago Cooper, and Nancy Gonlin reflect a focus on integrating volcanology, archaeology, and environmental science. The Ceren Site, Arenal Region, and Zapotitán Valley projects underscore his long-term commitment to fieldwork and publication of detailed archaeological reports.