Traci A Ardren

Traci A Ardren is a Professor of Anthropology in the Department of Anthropology at the College of Arts and Sciences, University of Miami. Her academic work focuses on archaeological research with particular emphasis on Maya civilization, Florida archaeology, and historical ecology.

Dr. Ardren's research interests span multiple domains within anthropology and archaeology. She specializes in the archaeology of childhood, examining how children interacted with their environments in ancient societies. Her work on the Tequesta society of South Florida explores the relationship between children, fruit gathering, and landscape formation. Ardren is also deeply engaged in Maya studies, with extensive research on settlement patterns, inequality, and governance at sites like Coba in Quintana Roo. Her innovative use of Lidar technology for population estimation at ancient Maya sites demonstrates her commitment to methodological advancement in archaeological practice.

Ardren's publication record reveals a strong focus on interdisciplinary approaches that bridge archaeology with environmental science, particularly in her work on zooarchaeology of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) in the Florida Keys. Her research shows consistent engagement with theoretical frameworks examining social inequality, urban development, and the role of vegetation in shaping social memory in ancient Maya houselots. The breadth of her work spans from pre-Columbian South Florida to the Maya lowlands of Mexico, demonstrating regional expertise across significant portions of the Americas.

As a professor at the University of Miami, Dr. Ardren contributes to academic discourse through her publications, reviews of significant works in public history and archaeology, and collaborative research projects. Her work on the Key Marco Cat demonstrates engagement with public archaeology and cultural heritage preservation in Florida.