Archaeological Science

My earlier research in archaeological science explored the materials and technologies of past societies. Combining scientific analyses with archaeological interpretation, I investigated questions of craft production, technological knowledge, and material practice, work that continues to inform my interdisciplinary approach to objects, materiality, and museum collections today.

Publications

Application of X-ray Diffraction and Digital Optical Microscopy to Investigate Lapidary Technologies in Pre-Pottery Neolithic Societies

Using X-ray diffraction and digital optical microscopy, I investigated the materials and manufacturing techniques used to produce stone beads at the Neolithic site of el-Hemmeh in Jordan and published the results in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. This research revealed changing preferences in color and raw materials over time while demonstrating remarkably consistent production methods, shedding light on the social and symbolic worlds of early farming communities.

Testing a Novel Method to Identify Salt Production Pottery via Release and Detection of Chloride Ions

This article in the Journal of Archaeological Science evaluated a proposed scientific method for identifying pottery used in ancient salt production. By testing experimental vessels alongside archaeological ceramics from China and North America, I demonstrated the limitations of the technique and highlighted the importance of rigorously evaluating analytical methods before applying them to interpretations of the archaeological past.