معرفی
Jessica Munson is Associate Professor of Anthropology and Archaeology and Chair of the Department at Lycoming College, where she has been a faculty member since 2015. She holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Arizona and previously held postdoctoral positions at the University of California, Davis, and Simon Fraser University.
Areas of Expertise:
- Maya Archaeology
- Formative Mesoamerica
- Community Organization
- Architectural Analysis
- Ritual and Religious Practices
- Writing Systems and Epigraphy
- Quantitative Methods, including Social Network Analysis and GIS
Her research integrates advanced analytical techniques with traditional archaeological fieldwork to explore ancient social structures and cultural dynamics, particularly among the Classic Maya. She applies network theory to stratigraphic and epigraphic data to model sociopolitical interactions and ritual evolution.
The trends in her publications reveal a consistent focus on methodological innovation in archaeology, especially in quantifying social and spatial relationships. Her work bridges linguistic analysis of hieroglyphic texts with material culture studies, such as obsidian exchange, to reconstruct ancient economies and belief systems. She frequently employs statistical and computational tools to interpret complex datasets.
Scientific Awards and Funding:
- Supported by the Wenner-Gren Foundation for the Altar de Sacrificios Archaeological Project
Dr. Munson advises students and leads archaeological fieldwork in Petén, Guatemala. She has secured external funding for her research and mentors students in both field and laboratory settings. While specific grant amounts and advisees are not listed, her leadership of an active international project indicates strong advising and grant-writing capabilities.
She directs the Altar de Sacrificios Archaeological Project in Petén, Guatemala, which investigates long-term settlement patterns, ritual activity, and community organization in a key Maya region. This project integrates field excavation, GIS mapping, and epigraphic analysis within a collaborative, interdisciplinary framework.
