Matthew Kroot

Matthew Kroot is an Assistant Professor in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change at Arizona State University. His research focuses on political economy in past societies, stone tool analysis, and collaborative research methods, with fieldwork conducted in North America, West Africa, and the Middle East. He holds a PhD from the University of Michigan.

Education: PhD in Anthropology, University of Michigan.

Research Interests: Archaeology of political economies, lithic analysis, collaborative methodologies, and regional studies in North America, West Africa, and Southwest Asia. Key projects include investigations into early agricultural transitions at al-Khayran in Jordan and historical archaeology of slavery in the Gambia River region.

Teaching emphasizes community-engaged archaeology and heritage studies, with courses like 'Archaeology of North America' and 'African Archaeology: Precolonial.' His work bridges academic research with public engagement, particularly through student-inclusive fieldwork and campus history projects.

Fieldwork and Projects: Lead researcher at al-Khayran (Jordan), Bandafassi Regional Archaeological Project (Senegal/Gambia), and Malinke fortified sites in Senegal. Collaborates with local communities to integrate indigenous knowledge into archaeological narratives.