Benjamin P Carter

Benjamin P Carter serves as Associate Professor in Sociology & Anthropology, integrating archaeology and anthropology through material culture studies and field-based pedagogy. His hands-on teaching philosophy emphasizes experiential learning, such as stone tool fabrication, to bridge students with tangible human history.

His academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis
• M.A. from Washington University in St. Louis
• B.A. from Drew University

Research focuses on two interconnected domains: the role of Spondylus shellfish in pre-Columbian South American exchange networks (particularly Manteño/Guancavilca cultures of coastal Ecuador) and the landscape impact of Pennsylvania's historical charcoal production. The latter employs AI-driven remote sensing to map 26,000+ charcoal hearths, revealing links to the Underground Railroad. His work demonstrates how industrial archaeology intersects with social justice narratives through material evidence.

Publication trends highlight interdisciplinary methodological innovation, merging digital tools (deep learning, open-source GIS) with traditional archaeology across temporal scales—from ancient Andean civilizations to 19th-century industrial landscapes. This approach consistently connects material culture to broader socio-political transformations.

Recognition includes:

• The Daniel J. and Carol Shiner Wilson Grant for Scholarly Completion (2022)

Mentorship features close collaboration with students like Alana Noehrenberg and Weston Conner on field projects spanning Pennsylvania charcoal sites and Ecuadorian archaeological surveys. Funded initiatives include Mellon-supported interdisciplinary teams and community partnerships with the Moravian Historical Society, emphasizing real-world problem-solving.

Research operations involve mobile field teams utilizing drone-based remote sensing and traditional excavation methods across Pennsylvania State Game Lands and Ecuador's Colonche Valley, functioning as de facto mobile laboratories without fixed facility designation.