Anthropology at PSU
Archaeology

Archaeology is the scientific study of the material cultural record of human evolution and history over the past 3 million
years. We think this is best accomplished using materialist, evolutionary approaches bothin research and teaching.
Our research draws upon evolutionary culture theory, including Human Behavioral Ecology, to explore a range of
issues while focusing on hunter-gatherer diversity, complexity (Ames) and subsistence (Butler). We have related research interests in the North Pacific fur-trade (Wilson, Ames), zooarchaeology (Butler), site formation processes (Ames, Butler, Wilson) and Historical Archaeology (Wilson). Our regional focus is western North America, including
the Northwest Coast, Plateau and Great Basin, and the north Pacific Rim.

As part of Anthropology’s free-standing MA program, we offer graduate training leading to careers in academic and applied (CRM) archaeology. Our teaching (and research) stresses theoretical and methodological rigor. We have graduate coursework in Archaeological Field Methods, Laboratory Methods, Zooarchaeology, Cultural Resource Management, Hunter-Gatherers, and Archaeological Theory. The program has an annual Archaeological Field School
at the Vancouver National Historic Reserve in cooperation with the National Park Service and Washington State University Vancouver. Graduate Students and Faculty are involved in the Environmental Anthropology Program within Anthropology as well as take advantage of resources in Geology, Geography, Biology and History, including the
Center for Columbia River History. Archaeology faculty also participate in PSU’s Native American Studies Program.  Beyond PSU, the program has close ties with the National Park Service, US Forest Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, ties that generate internships, research and other valuable opportunities. We also work closely with local and regional contracting firms, which provide employment and internships to many of our students before and
after they receive their degrees.