Jeffrey P. Blomster

Jeffrey P. Blomster is a Professor of Anthropology and a CAI Core Member specializing in anthropological archaeology. His expertise focuses on social complexity, interregional interaction, and symbolism/ideology in Mesoamerica, particularly among Mixtec, Zapotec, and Olmec cultures. He leads research at Etlatongo, Oaxaca, examining the emergence of social complexity and interregional networks. His work integrates stylistic analysis with compositional approaches to material culture.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Anthropology, Yale University (1998)
• M.A. in Anthropology, Yale University (1990)
• B.A. in Anthropology, Washington and Lee University (1987)

Research Interests: Blomster investigates the rise of complex societies in Mesoamerica, focusing on Olmec socio-political roles, ceramic traditions, and urbanism in Oaxaca. His recent projects include defining the Yucuita ceramic phase and exploring post-collapse transformations. He employs interdisciplinary methods, including laboratory analyses of artifacts.

Teaching: He teaches courses such as "The Aztecs of Mexico," "Archaeology of Mesoamerica," and "Lab Research Methods in Archaeology," emphasizing fieldwork and theoretical frameworks.

Grants & Labs: Ongoing projects involve Olmec socio-political complexity and ceramic production analyses, supported by collaborative fieldwork and lab studies. No specific grants or lab affiliations are explicitly listed.