Michael Anderson

Michael Anderson is a Professor and Chair of Classics at San Francisco State University (SFSU), serving as Interim Director and Graduate Coordinator of the Museum Studies Program. He holds a B.A. in History (UCLA, 1997), M.A. in Archaeology (UCLA, 2001), and Ph.D. in Archaeology (University of Cambridge, 2005). His research focuses on Roman urbanism, domestic space, and power dynamics in ancient environments, with extensive fieldwork at Pompeii since 1996. He directs the Via Consolare Project and is completing a publication on the Casa del Chirurgo excavations (Pompeii) conducted by the University of Bradford (2002–2006).

Education Background:

• B.A. History, University of California, Los Angeles (1997)
• M.A. Archaeology, University of California, Los Angeles (2001)
• Ph.D. Archaeology, University of Cambridge (2005)

Research Interests:
Anderson specializes in Roman architecture and urban planning, particularly examining spatial relationships in domestic environments. His work at Pompeii explores how physical spaces reflected social hierarchies and daily life in antiquity. Current projects include analyzing artifacts from the Casa del Chirurgo, a well-preserved Roman house with surgical tools, to reconstruct occupational and domestic practices.

Administrative Roles:

• Chair, Classics Department
• Interim Director, Museum Studies Program

Fieldwork and Projects:

• Director, Via Consolare Project (since 2006)
• Lead researcher for Casa del Chirurgo excavations (2002–2006)