Peter Johansen

Peter Johansen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at McGill University, specializing in archaeological approaches to political power dynamics in everyday life. His research spans Neolithic to Medieval periods in South India and British Columbia's First Nations heritage projects.

• Ph.D., University of Chicago (2008)

Research focuses on multi-scalar landscapes shaped by entrenched and emergent power modalities through metallurgy, settlement patterns, and ritual practices. Co-director of the Maski Archaeological Research Project (MARP), examining agro-pastoralism and socio-political organization in the Raichur Doab region.

Recent publications analyze techno-political assemblages in South Indian metallurgy (2024), Neolithic mortuary practices (2023), and interdisciplinary fieldwork outcomes (2019-2018). His work bridges material culture studies with political archaeology to understand resource control dynamics.

Collaborates with Nlaka’pamux communities in British Columbia on Indigenous-led heritage management. Based in Montreal, Quebec, he teaches graduate courses while directing field projects across two continents.