Projects and Research

Faculty and students in the Department of Anthropology conduct research in a variety of subfields including archaeology, bio-anthropology and cultural anthropology.

Archaeological Projects

The El Paraiso Project

Honduras, 2002-ongoing

This project was established in 2002 to explore socio-political and ethno-historical questions through an integrated program of archaeological reconnaissance, mapping, excavation and analysis. It also includes a cultural anthropology program (currently focused on the compilation of oral histories) and a program of community outreach. Find out more about the El Paraiso Project.

The Cacaulapa Project

Honduras, 1996-ongoing

This project explores a large center in the lower Cacaulapa Valley. Students generally supervise the excavation of a small residence and then move on to other residences or projects of their choosing. They spend a few weeks doing archaeology at the beginning of the field season including opportunities for ethnographic observation. Find out more about the Cacaulapa Project.

The Naco Project

Honduras, 1980s-1996

The Naco valley was the focus of research by Professors Pat Urban and Edward Schortman before they moved to the lower Cacaulapa Valley. Find out more about the Naco Project.

The Santa Barbara Archaeological Project

Honduras, 1983-1986

This project, within the middle Río Ulúa drainage in the department of Santa Barbara in west-central Honduras was designed to make contributions to local cultural history, interregional culture historical syntheses, understanding of all periods of southeast Mesoamerican prehistory, and modeling processes of sociopolitical change. Find out more about the Santa Barbara Project.