Damien Marken

Associate Professor Damien Marken is affiliated with the Department of Anthropology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Social Work at Bloomsburg University. His research focuses on anthropological archaeology, particularly the social, political, and economic dynamics of Classic Maya urban centers like El Perú-Waka' and Palenque.

Education:

• Ph.D., Southern Methodist University (2011)
• M.A., Southern Methodist University (2004)
• M.A., Université de Paris I: Panteon-Sorbonne (2002)
• B.A., University of California Santa Barbara (2000)

Research Interests: Marken examines ancient Mesoamerican urbanism, state formation, and collapse. His work integrates landscape ecology, GIS, and remote sensing to analyze settlement patterns and household economies. He challenges traditional concepts of Maya city structures, emphasizing decentralized systems and hinterland dynamics.

Publications & Research: His work appears in Science, Estudios de Cultura Maya, and edited volumes like The Flexible Maya City. Recent studies use LiDAR to reveal hidden urban landscapes in Guatemala, redefining understandings of Maya political complexity.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with projects at El Perú-Waka', focusing on ritual spaces, satellite settlements, and ceremonial performances.