Christopher L. von Nagy

Christopher L. von Nagy is a Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of Nevada, Reno, serving as Head of Shared History. As an anthropological archaeologist and public historian, he specializes in collaborative interpretation of historical records with diverse communities and the public communication of humanities research.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Anthropology from Tulane University (2003)
• A.B. from the University of California, Berkeley with focus on environmental archaeology

Von Nagy's research integrates public history, digital humanities, and Mesoamerican archaeology through community-engaged methodologies. He co-directs a bi-national project at Oxtotitlán Cave in Guerrero, Mexico, employing multispectral imaging, UAV survey, GIS, and 3D visualization to document Olmec-period public art while examining contemporary community relationships with these sites. His work spans environmental archaeology, computational analysis of large datasets, and place-based experiential learning across Mesoamerica including Tabasco, Zacatecas, Yucatán, Alta Verapaz (Guatemala), and the United States.

His publication record demonstrates consistent focus on Mesoamerican archaeology, particularly Olmec studies and cave art documentation. Key themes include scientific dating methodologies, physicochemical pigment analysis, political organization of early civilizations, and interdisciplinary approaches combining computational techniques with traditional archaeological methods. Recent work emphasizes community collaboration in archaeological interpretation and preservation.

Von Nagy teaches diverse courses including Museum Studies, Maya Epigraphy, Andean Ethnohistory, and Archaeology of New World Civilizations. His professional experience includes chairing Sage Ridge School's history department, Montessori educator training, and museum curatorial roles. He maintains active collaboration with Nahuatl-speaking communities in Guerrero through their archaeology committee, integrating student participation in field research and data analysis.

His Guerrero-based bi-national research project operates through close partnership with local Nahuatl communities, utilizing computational documentation techniques while respecting cultural protocols. The team combines traditional ethnohistoric methods with UAV survey and multispectral imaging to study Oxtotitlán Cave's significance in early Mesoamerican civilization development and its contemporary cultural roles.