Sissel Schroeder

Sissel Schroeder is Professor and Chair of Anthropology at University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she directs the Schroeder Laboratory of Wisconsin Archaeology. Her research investigates sociopolitical complexity, historical ecology, and indigenous landscapes in Eastern North America.

Research focuses on:

• Mississippian societies at Cahokia and Aztalan
• Anthropogenic landscape transformations
• Ancient climate adaptation strategies
• New Deal-era archaeological collections

Publications analyze demographic shifts, environmental interactions, and ritual practices, with recent work (2014-2024) emphasizing hydrological impacts on settlement patterns and methodological debates in demographic reconstruction. Leads the Wisconsin Dugout Canoe Survey documenting 95+ indigenous watercraft.

Supervises 5 graduate students in archaeology and historical ecology projects. Teaches courses on archaeological methods, Wisconsin archaeology, and household archaeology, including summer field schools.