Nicole Mathwich

Dr. Nicole Mathwich is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at San Diego State University (SDSU), specializing in environmental archaeology and zooarchaeology. She holds a BS from Santa Clara University and MA/PhD from the University of Arizona. Her research focuses on colonial-era livestock management, Indigenous resource use, and historical ecology in the Southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico. She leads projects such as the Pimería Alta Isotope Project and studies ranching landscapes in San Diego County.

• Education: BS (Santa Clara), MA/PhD (Arizona)
• Research Interests: Colonial ranching strategies, zooarchaeology, isotopic analysis, mission landscapes
• Key Projects: Mission Dolores de Cósari faunal analysis, Rancho Johnson surveys

Her work bridges archaeology with historical documents, oral histories, and stable isotope studies. She has secured grants including a $57k National Park Service project engaging students in agave surveys and archaeological training. Teaching focuses on archaeological methods and colonial borderlands studies.

Notable publications include studies in American Antiquity, Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, and contributions to edited volumes on zooarchaeology and colonial history.