Brian Hoffman

Brian Hoffman serves as Associate Professor of Anthropology and Department Chair of Anthropology and Environmental Studies at Hamline University. His academic career spans over thirty-five years of continuous fieldwork across Alaska and the Midwestern United States, with a particular focus on household archaeology approaches to understanding past societies.

Hoffman's research interests center on experimental archaeology, public archaeology, and the evolution of social organization among complex hunter-gatherer societies. His work combines rigorous archaeological methodology with community engagement, particularly through his 'Excavating Hamline History' course which brings together students from diverse disciplines to investigate historical sites on and around campus. His research bridges theoretical approaches with practical applications, emphasizing how archaeological methods can illuminate both ancient and more recent historical contexts.

The trends in Hoffman's scholarly publications reveal a consistent focus on household archaeology as a lens for understanding social organization, with increasing emphasis on community-engaged research methods. His work spans geographical contexts from Arctic Alaska to the Midwestern United States, examining how people created meaning in their environments through material culture, settlement patterns, and social organization. Recent publications show growing integration of interdisciplinary approaches that combine archaeological evidence with historical documentation and community perspectives.

Hoffman has secured significant research funding including National Science Foundation support for his Alaskan fieldwork and Minnesota Legacy grants for the Jeffers Archaeology Project. His collaborative approach to research is evident in his partnerships with institutions like the US Fish and Wildlife Service on the Plum Island lighthouse project.

• National Science Foundation funding for Kiska Island research
• Minnesota Legacy grant for Jeffers Archaeology Project

Hoffman actively mentors undergraduate students through field schools and classroom instruction, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. His 'Excavating Hamline History' course serves as a model for community-engaged scholarship, bringing together students from anthropology, history, chemistry, business, and other disciplines to investigate local historical sites. The course has evolved to include co-teaching with History Department colleagues and now fulfills requirements for community-engaged research across multiple majors.

Hoffman directs several ongoing field projects including the Jeffers Archaeology Project examining rock art sites in western Minnesota, investigations of the Plum Island lighthouse in Lake Michigan, and campus-based archaeological research at Hamline University. These projects form the foundation for student field experiences and community outreach initiatives that connect academic research with public history and neighborhood engagement.