My earlier archaeological research employed scientific methods to examine relationships between people, materials, and technology in past societies. Grounded in a materials science approach to archaeology that considers artifacts as the products of culturally situated technological choices, this work continues to inform my interdisciplinary approach to artifacts, 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 examined the materials and manufacturing techniques used to produce stone beads at the Neolithic site of el-Hemmeh in Jordan. This research reveals changing preferences in color and raw materials over time while demonstrating 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 evaluates 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 demonstrate the limitations of the technique and highlight the importance of rigorously evaluating analytical methods before applying them to interpretations of the archaeological past.
