Duncan P. McKinnon

Duncan P. McKinnon serves as Associate Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Jamie C. Brandon Center for Archaeological Research at the University of Central Arkansas, specializing in advanced archaeological methodologies and Native American cultural studies.

His academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas
• M.A. from the University of Arkansas
• B.A. from Texas State University-San Marcos

McKinnon's research integrates landscape archaeology with cutting-edge geospatial technologies to investigate Southeastern Native American cultures, particularly Caddo traditions. His work examines ritual landscapes, ceramic distribution networks, and settlement patterns through GIS-based analyses and archaeogeophysical surveys. He actively bridges academic research with public engagement through visual archaeology initiatives and historical investigations of Arkansas's cultural heritage.

Recent publications reveal a concentrated focus on Caddo archaeology, utilizing remote sensing techniques to analyze mound sites and material culture across Arkansas and the Illinois River Valley. His scholarship consistently connects spatial analysis with cultural interpretation, spanning prehistoric ceremonial landscapes to 19th-century Euro-American settlements.

As Director of the Jamie C. Brandon Center, McKinnon leads archaeological fieldwork and research initiatives that combine terrestrial remote sensing with traditional excavation methods, advancing understanding of North American indigenous cultures while training future archaeologists in innovative field techniques.