I am an archaeologist studying Mississippian societies with a particular focus on the central Mississippi and lower Ohio valleys. My research is centered on the reconstruction of the histories of past peoples and places, utilizing social theory to understand those histories.
My experiences with the Cahokian villages also generated an interest in the roles of migration, diversity, and identity in community and polity formation. I am currently planning research involving excavation at multiple sites as well as the evaluation of existing collections from southern Indiana west to southern Illinois and Missouri .
Geographical Areas of Specialization
- North America; Midwest; Southeastern U.S.; Mississippi Valley
Research Interests
- complexity; identity; migration; materiality; ritual; craft production; ceramics; GIS
