Ryan Collins

Ryan Collins is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Millsaps College specializing in anthropological archaeology with a primary focus on the ancient Maya civilization of Yucatan, Mexico (900 BCE to 900 CE). His research examines urban society development, environmental impacts, and social responses to epidemics in ancient contexts, drawing lessons for contemporary society.

His academic background includes:

• BA from the University of Central Florida
• MA and PhD from Brandeis University
• Neukom Postdoctoral Fellowship at Dartmouth College

Dr. Collins' research spans Maya archaeology, urban archaeology, environmental archaeology, social archaeology, and lithic analysis. He currently investigates obsidian exchange networks during the Paleo-Indian and Archaic periods (8000-2000 BCE) in central Mexico's Tehuacan Valley. He emphasizes public engagement through podcasting and community outreach initiatives to disseminate archaeological knowledge beyond academic circles.

His recognition includes:

• Neukom Postdoctoral Fellowship

While specific graduate student mentorship details are not disclosed, Dr. Collins has directed diverse field projects including terrestrial and cave excavations in Yucatan, a WWII POW recovery project with DPAA in Italy, cultural resource management in Miami with SEARCH, Inc., and historic field schools in New England. He consistently collaborates with local stakeholders and prioritizes community education through accessible research dissemination.