Steven R Kuehn

Steven R Kuehn serves as an Assistant Research Scientist in Faunal Analysis at the Illinois State Archaeological Survey (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), specializing in zooarchaeological analysis of animal remains from American Bottom and Illinois River Valley sites. His work focuses on interpreting past human-environment interactions during the Mississippian and Late Woodland periods through rigorous scientific examination of faunal assemblages.

Research Interests: Dr. Kuehn's scholarship centers on Zooarchaeology and North American Prehistory, with emphasis on subsistence strategies, ritual practices, and cultural adaptations in prehistoric Midwest societies. He integrates multiple methodologies including stable isotope analysis, DNA studies, and traditional zooarchaeological techniques to reconstruct dietary patterns, human-animal relationships, and responses to environmental or social stressors like warfare.

Publication Trends: Recent works demonstrate consistent investigation of faunal evidence within cultural contexts, spanning building termination rituals at Cahokia, conflict-driven subsistence shifts in the Central Illinois River Valley, and innovative diet reconstruction using dog coprolites. Geographically concentrated in Illinois, his research bridges prehistoric (Mississippian/Late Woodland) and historical periods, highlighting long-term human occupation patterns.

Advising and Grants: Public records indicate no formal academic advising roles or specific grant awards, though his participation in ISAS-managed infrastructure projects suggests involvement in federally mandated cultural resource management funding frameworks.

Laboratory and Team Affiliations: As core faculty within the Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Dr. Kuehn contributes to a multidisciplinary unit conducting statewide archaeological research. The Survey maintains advanced laboratories for faunal analysis, stable isotope processing, and ancient DNA work, supporting both academic research and compliance-driven projects across Illinois.