Theoretical Views

I am interested in the development of chiefdoms.  The chiefdom form of sociopolitical organization represents the first time in a human society when individuals give up their material products, food resources, and/or labor, to another individual due to differences in social status. Hereditary social inequality is a key aspect of chiefdom societies, and the magnitude of the change from an egalitarian society cannot be underestimated. More than just an economic or governmental system, the emergence of a chiefdom signals a fundamental change in the culture, society and day-to-day lives of the citizens. Chiefs and other elites gain their position through family ties, not necessarily achievement.

My theoretical and empirical interests thus go beyond a static analysis of archaeological remains and instead adopt a dynamic perspective which seeks to elucidate the traces of and motivations for significant social change. Further, I believe these mechanisms apply not only to the past, but to the present human condition as well.

Data Sets

Much of my research is focused on using often neglected repository collections in archaeological research. Although curated collections may pose unusual challenges, they can provide important information. I have a recent article on this specific topic, addressing how you can standardize and use old collections with more recent ones, in the Pacific Coast Archaeological Society Quarterly: V37, No.1 Winter 2001 (published Fall 2002).