Richard Lesure

Richard Lesure is a Professor and Marilyn Beaudry-Corbett Endowed Chair in Mesoamerican Archaeology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), affiliated with the Department of Archaeology in the College of Social Sciences. His research focuses on early village societies, sociopolitical dynamics, and the origins of social inequality in Mesoamerica. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan (1995).

Research Interests:

• Archaeology of early village societies
• Sociopolitical dynamics and social inequality
• Mesoamerican Archaeology
• Prehistoric imagery and symbolism
• Archaeological theory and method

His publications explore topics such as Neolithic demographic transitions, Formative period chronology, and the analysis of prehistoric art and iconography. Key works include The Goddess Diffracted (2011) and studies on early Mesoamerican settlement patterns and monumental architecture. His research bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical data to understand human agency and cultural complexity.

Grants & Advising:

• No specific grants listed
• No advisee names documented in provided text

Labs/Teams: Active in UCLA's Cotsen Institute of Archaeology, collaborating on projects in Mesoamerica and the American Southwest.