Susan E. (Sue) Alcock is the Barnett Family Professor of Classical Archaeology at the University of Oklahoma, holding dual appointments in the Department of Classics and Letters. She specializes in Hellenistic and Roman archaeology, landscape studies, and the archaeology of memory and imperialism. Alcock has directed major field projects in Greece, Armenia, and Jordan, including the Brown University Petra Archaeological Project. Her academic career includes leadership roles as inaugural Director of Brown University’s Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World (2006-2015), Interim Provost at University of Michigan-Flint, and Provost at University of Michigan-Dearborn. She has held the Arthur F. Thurnau Professorship at Michigan and served as Special Counsel for Institutional Outreach and Engagement there. Dr. Alcock’s scholarly contributions include seminal works like Graecia Capta (1993) and Archaeologies of the Greek Past (2002). Her research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to understanding ancient landscapes and the intersection of archaeology with contemporary memory politics. She has been awarded the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship (2001) and is an Honorary Fellow at Clare College, Cambridge. Alcock earned her doctorate in Classical Archaeology and Classics from the University of Cambridge, complemented by bachelor’s degrees from both Cambridge and Yale University. Her advisory roles and institutional leadership span university administration and archaeological research coordination.
Douglas Bird is Professor of Anthropology at Penn State, researching interactions between social/ecological systems in foraging societies. His collaborative fieldwork with Martu Aboriginal communities examines hunting, fire ecology, and landscape evolution. Key research areas: Ethnoarchaeology of hunter-gatherers Anthropogenic fire regimes Co-evolution of humans/ecosystems Coastal archaeology Field sites include Australia's Western Desert and Torres Strait Islands.
Jennifer P. Mathews is a Professor of Anthropology in the Sociology and Anthropology Department at Trinity University, where she teaches courses in archaeology and biological anthropology. Her academic career is deeply rooted in Maya studies, with particular expertise in ancient and historical Maya archaeology, as well as issues of sustainability and tourism. She has received significant recognition for her teaching excellence, including the prestigious Dr. and Mrs. Z.T. Scott Faculty Fellowship (2019-20), the state-wide Piper Professor award (2020), and the Murchison Term Professorship (2023-2026). Dr. Mathews earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in anthropology, with a specialization in Maya archaeology, from the University of California at Riverside, and her undergraduate degree in anthropology from San Diego State University (1991). Since 1993, she has conducted extensive fieldwork and archival research in Mexico, establishing herself as a leading expert in Maya archaeology. Her research has evolved from focusing on ancient Maya studies—particularly roads, architecture, and site layouts—to examining the post-Colonial period of the Yucatan Peninsula (1850–1950), with particular attention to commodity extraction including sugarcane, chicle (the base for chewing gum), rum production, and avocados. Her scholarly output includes numerous journal articles, book chapters, and several edited books such as Quintana Roo Archaeology , Lifeways in the Northern Maya Lowlands , The Value of Things: Prehistoric to Contemporary Commodities in the Maya Region , and Construction of Maya Space: Causeways, Walls, and Open Areas from Ancient to Modern Times . She has also co-authored significant works like Chicle: The Chewing Gum of the Americas: From the Ancient Maya to William Wrigley and Bittersweet History: Sugarcane, Rum, Labor and Life on the Yucatán Peninsula . Currently, she is working on a book about the deep history of the avocado, tracing its journey from Mesoamerican origins to California in the nineteenth century. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on historical archaeology of the Yucatan Peninsula, particularly examining how 19th century practices relate to contemporary issues. She explores topics ranging from chicle gum's role in popular culture to the preservation challenges facing archaeological sites amid modern development pressures. Her work consistently bridges ancient and modern contexts, demonstrating how historical practices inform current sustainability challenges. Dr. and Mrs. Z.T. Scott Faculty Fellowship (2019-20) Piper Professor award (2020) - a state-wide teaching award for superior teaching at the college level Murchison Term Professorship (2023-2026) Dr. Mathews actively engages with the community through collaborations with local institutions like the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA), where she teaches docents about ancient Mesoamerican cultures. Her students contribute research papers to museum collections and help develop e-Museum descriptions. She incorporates service learning into her courses, organizing projects that support causes like the San Antonio Food Bank, the San Antonio Zoo's primate conservation efforts, and Maya women artisans in Mesoamerica. Additionally, she has curated two significant exhibits: 'The Modern Maya: The Photographs of Macduff Everton' and 'Crafting Maya Identity.' Her academic affiliations span multiple interdisciplinary programs including Environmental Studies, Global Latinx Studies, Museum Studies, and the MAS: Mexico, the Americas, and Spain program.
Lars Fogelin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Arizona, specializing in the archaeology of Buddhism in South Asia. His work bridges archaeology, religious studies, and the philosophy of science, with a focus on early Buddhist architecture, ritual practices, and theoretical frameworks. His research interests include the archaeology of religion, South Asian Buddhism, and methodological debates in archaeological theory. Fogelin has conducted extensive fieldwork in India, particularly in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, examining Buddhist monastic sites like Thotlakonda and investigating the material manifestations of religious practices. Key contributions include studies on Buddhist stupas' architectural evolution, ritual practices in mortuary contexts, and the application of philosophical principles to archaeological reasoning. He has authored influential books such as An Archaeological History of Indian Buddhism (2015) and edited volumes exploring the intersection of archaeology and religion. Fogelin's work emphasizes methodological rigor and interdisciplinary approaches, addressing how material culture reflects social, religious, and ideological dynamics. His research also critiques essentialist interpretations in archaeological studies, advocating for context-sensitive analyses of ritual and religious practices.
Lars E Fogelin is an Associate Professor at the University of Arizona specializing in the archaeology of Buddhism in South Asia. His research extends to the broader archaeology of religion, architectural studies, and the application of philosophy of science to archaeological reasoning, establishing him as a leading scholar in theoretical and material approaches to religious practice. Dr. Fogelin's work centers on material manifestations of Buddhist practice in early historic South Asia, particularly examining stupa architecture, monastic spatial organization, and ritual landscapes. He investigates how religious communities navigated social contradictions through spatial strategies and how material transformations reflected doctrinal shifts, such as the emergence of Mahayana Buddhism. His theoretical contributions emphasize inference to the best explanation and critical deconstruction of essentialist approaches in religious archaeology. His publication trajectory reveals consistent thematic focus across 20 years, with recurring exploration of Buddhist material culture, ritual practices, and methodological innovation. Early works established foundations in South Asian Buddhist archaeology, while later publications expanded into philosophical frameworks for interpreting religion. Key patterns include integration of ethnographic analogy with archaeological data, persistent attention to architectural evidence, and theoretical rigor in bridging anthropology, religious studies, and archaeological practice.
Kostalena Michelaki is an Associate Professor in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change at Arizona State University. Her research focuses on integrating geochemical, archaeological, and anthropological approaches to understand material culture production, exchange networks, and human-environment interactions across diverse geographic and temporal contexts. Her work spans prehistoric Europe, Mesoamerica, and North America, with particular emphases on ceramic technology, provenance studies, and the application of archaeometric methods. Methodologically, she specializes in elemental analysis of materials (ceramics, lithics, and metals), spatial analysis of archaeological landscapes, and experimental archaeology. She critiques traditional typological approaches by emphasizing the importance of integrating physico-chemical data to reconstruct ancient production systems and social dynamics. Recent projects include geochemical sourcing of Stonehenge sarsen stones, analysis of La Quemada ceramics in Mexico, and investigations into European copper distribution in 17th-century Canada. Her research consistently highlights how material objects encode histories of human creativity, resource management, and cultural exchange. Michelaki's publications emphasize methodological rigor in data interpretation, advocating for transparent analytical frameworks to avoid over-interpretation of archaeological materials. She collaborates extensively with geologists, chemists, and Indigenous communities to contextualize technical data within socio-cultural narratives.
Dr. Thomas F. Tartaron is Associate Professor of Classical Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in Greek Bronze Age archaeology. As Executive Director of the Center for the Analysis of Archaeological Materials, he leads research on Mediterranean maritime networks. His research examines Bronze Age coastal communities, maritime trade systems, and landscape archaeology in the Aegean world. Tartaron directs the Saronic Harbors Archaeological Research Project investigating the Mycenaean harbor at Kalamianos. Current fieldwork includes ethnoarchaeological studies of traditional fishing communities and surveys at Molyvoti, Thrace.
Joyce Marcus is the Robert L. Carneiro Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at the University of Michigan, affiliated with the Museum of Anthropological Archaeology and the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. She holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University (1974) and has conducted groundbreaking fieldwork in Nevada, California, Mexico, Guatemala, and Peru. Her research focuses on the political evolution of ancient Mesoamerican and Andean societies, particularly the Maya and Zapotec civilizations. She pioneered the use of emblem glyphs to trace Maya state hierarchies and developed the 'Dynamic Model' explaining political cycles. Her work at San José Mogote in Oaxaca revealed Mexico’s oldest hieroglyphic monument, while her excavations at Cerro Azul, Peru, explored economic specialization and labor division. Marcus has been honored with prestigious awards including membership in the National Academy of Sciences and the American Philosophical Society. Her publications span over four decades, addressing themes like urban development, ritual practices, and comparative state formation in ancient societies. Educational Background: M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology from Harvard University (1971, 1974). Research Interests: Maya and Zapotec political systems Writing systems and hieroglyphic analysis Archaeological method and theory Ceramic and settlement analysis Gender and ritual practices in ancient societies Key Contributions: Dynamic Model of Maya political cycles Discovery of Calakmul’s significance Co-direction of San José Mogote excavations Analysis of Cerro Azul’s economic specialization Scientific Awards: National Academy of Sciences (1997) American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1997) American Philosophical Society (2008) Cotsen Book Prize (2008) Shanghai Archaeology Award (2013) Grants and Advising: Extensive funding for fieldwork and publications; mentorship reflected in the Mentor Recognition Award from UC San Diego. Active in collaborative research projects, including the University of Michigan’s Oaxaca Valley initiatives. Labs/Teams: Leading figure in the Museum of Anthropological Archaeology’s research programs; co-directed major excavations in Mexico and Peru.
Kandace D. Hollenbach is an Associate Professor and Associate Head in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and serves as Associate Curator of Paleoethnobotany at the McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture. Her research focuses on prehistoric foodways, foraging strategies, and the transition to agriculture in the eastern United States, particularly in Tennessee. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and a B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis. Her work integrates paleoethnobotanical analysis with archaeological excavation, exploring how ancient communities interacted with landscapes, managed resources, and developed agricultural practices. Notable contributions include studies on Late Archaic and Woodland period food systems, early gatherer strategies, and the cultural implications of shifting subsistence patterns. Hollenbach has held leadership roles including President of the Southeastern Archaeological Conference (2022-2024) and Tennessee Council for Professional Archaeology. Her 2012 C.B. Moore Award recognizes exceptional contributions to southeastern archaeology. Current research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to reconstructing prehistoric diets and land-use patterns through botanical remains and isotopic analysis.
Robert R. Sauders is a Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Eastern Washington University. His work bridges political anthropology, political geography, and geographic information systems (GIS) to examine transnational activism, cooperative peacebuilding, and the intersection of space/place with conflict dynamics. Specializing in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he conducts fieldwork with activist groups, peace initiatives, and NGOs to analyze socio-political-economic dimensions of conflict. He uses GIS to map issues ranging from homelessness in Spokane to the Israeli separation barrier's spatial impact. His research emphasizes cultural heritage's role in Palestinian national identity and conflict resolution. He has explored urbanization's impact on heritage sites in Ramallah, Ukrainian civil society dynamics, and material culture analysis in Jordan. Saunders holds a PhD and has advised numerous projects linking geospatial data to socio-political challenges. Notable contributions include examining graffiti as resistance, cooperative grassroots peace strategies, and the liminal status of Palestinian cultural heritage. His work underscores the practical and theoretical connections between space, identity, and conflict mitigation.
Rowan Flad is the John E. Hudson Professor of Archaeology at Harvard University, affiliated with the Peabody Museum. His research focuses on the emergence of complex societies in Bronze Age and Neolithic China, particularly in the Sichuan Basin and Gansu regions. He has conducted extensive fieldwork, including surveys in the Chengdu Plain and excavations at salt production sites. His work integrates zooarchaeology, ceramic analysis, and geochemical studies to explore technological change, ritual practices, and interregional interaction. Key projects include the Chengdu Plain Archaeological Survey and the Tao River Archaeological Project. Flad critiques media bias in archaeological reporting and emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to understanding past societies. He has authored influential books such as Salt Production and Social Hierarchy in Ancient China (2011) and co-edited volumes on ritual and economy in East Asian archaeology. His recent research examines horse domestication, burial practices, and ceramic exchange networks. Flad’s work bridges theoretical archaeology with empirical fieldwork, addressing questions of specialization, value systems, and cultural transmission in early Chinese societies.
Meredith S. Chesson is a Professor of Anthropology and Concurrent Professor of Gender Studies at the University of Notre Dame, serving as Director of Graduate Studies and a Fellow of the Nanovic Institute for European Studies. Her academic background includes: B.A. in Classics with honors, Brown University (1990) M.A. in Anthropology, Harvard University (1993) Ph.D. in Anthropology, Harvard University (1997) Chesson's research focuses on material culture and the construction of difference in human societies through archaeological theory and feminist frameworks. She investigates daily life, built environments, and mortuary practices to understand how people navigate societal changes across time. Her major projects include: Co-directing the Expedition to the Dead Sea Plain (EDSP) studying Early Bronze Age urbanism in Jordan Leading the Bova Marina Archaeological Project examining Calabrian communities from the Final Bronze Age to modern era Conducting ethnoarchaeological research on Irish domestic materiality through Notre Dame's CLIC project As a Nanovic Institute Fellow, she contributes to European studies while mentoring graduate students as Director of Graduate Studies. Current fieldwork expansions include comparative sustainability studies in Calabrian uplands.
Nathan Acebo is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAISI) at the University of Connecticut. His research focuses on Indigenous Archaeology through Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), examining how Indigenous knowledges and practices resist colonialism and foster autonomy. He collaborates with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities in North America and Oceania, employing methodologies like geochemical archaeometry and digital ethnography. Acebo leads the UConn Community-Based Digital Heritage Lab and is involved in repatriation efforts. Education: Ph.D., Stanford University (2020) Research Interests: His work bridges material sciences and Indigenous studies, addressing anti-colonial resistance, New Materialist frameworks, and decolonial epistemology. He investigates how Indigenous governance and cultural revitalization persist across pre- and post-colonial contexts in California, New England, and Hawaiʻi. Publications: Recent works explore Indigenous land claims beyond missions, decolonial knowledge asymmetry, and material analyses of colonial fragmentation. His research emphasizes collaboration with Indigenous communities to reclaim heritage and challenge colonial narratives. Awards: Mellon Foundation Faculty of Color Working Group Fellow (2022–2023) Grants & Leadership: Supported by NSF, Mellon, and NEH grants, Acebo develops programs linking Indigenous knowledge systems with academic training. His leadership roles include editorial positions at California Archaeology and directing UConn’s heritage initiatives. Labs/Teams: Pioneers ethical stewardship through the Community-Based Digital Heritage Lab, advancing Tribal partnerships in heritage preservation and repatriation.
Dr. Elizabeth Robinson is an Associate Professor of Classics at the University of Dallas Rome Program, specializing in Roman art, archaeology, and digital humanities. She holds a PhD in Classical Archaeology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has served as a GIS specialist for the Gabii Project. Her research focuses on Roman expansion in Central-Southern Italy, particularly the integration of Larinum, and combines traditional archaeology with advanced digital mapping technologies. PhD: Classical Archaeology, UNC Chapel Hill (2013) M.A.: Classical Archaeology, UNC Chapel Hill (2007) B.A.: Physics (cum laude) with Archaeology minor, Bowdoin College (2002) Her research interests include the cultural landscapes of ancient Italy, Roman urbanism, GIS applications, and the intersection of digital tools with classical studies. She has received prestigious awards including the Archaeological Institute of America Award for Digital Archaeology (2017) and the Fulbright Grant to Italy (2009-2010). Dr. Robinson has secured over $500,000 in grants, including two NEH Collaborative Research Grants, and has published extensively on topics like Larinum’s urban transformation, Oscan inscriptions, and Roman religious practices. She currently directs the Re-Survey of Biferno Valley Sites and serves on the editorial board of the Pleiades Project.
Dr. Jean Hudson is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, specializing in zooarchaeology and human ecology. She directs the university's Zooarchaeology Laboratory. Education: PhD in Anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara (1990) Her research examines ecological relationships in foraging societies through zooarchaeological analysis, with geographic focus on Andean coastal communities, Great Plains hunter-gatherers, and modern Aka Pygmies. Field projects include the Peruvian Reed Boat Ethnoarchaeology Project and comparative studies of urban-rural dynamics. Publications demonstrate methodological innovation in faunal analysis, particularly quantitative approaches to meat distribution, settlement patterns, and ethnoarchaeological validation. Dr. Hudson has supervised 25+ graduate students and leads international fieldwork programs in Peru. She maintains active collaborations with Museo Contisuyo and other Andean research institutions.
