About us
We are a group of anthropologists dedicated to the study of human-landscape interactions. Our research seeks to use the spatial arrangement of archaeological remains and historical information to create descriptions and explanations of how and why people create and interact with their surroundings on multiple scales. We are particularly interested in how patterns of settlement, farming, and death/mourning can tell us about how socioeconomics, political ecology, race, gender, health, and demography relate to the creation of space, place, and built environments.
The history told through archaeology matters very little unless it is told with, for, and by the people connected to that past. We would not be able to do the work we do without the living communities connected to that past and without the stories and experiences that live in and with the people there. Thus, the archaeology we do is community-oriented and ultimately works to improve society through the identification of historical causes of modern conditions.
Our main research venture at this time is the Settlement Ecology of Early Rural America (SEERA) project, which seeks to understand the foundations of rural communities in the U.S. The Research page (tab above) has more details, links to publications, and copies of conference and event presentations.
We are also an all-inclusive research team. An overarching ethos of the work we do is to improve archaeology (and related fields) through increasing the diversity of people (and thus ideas) that contribute to studying and learning from the past and through empowering those that have traditionally not had a voice in the telling of history through archaeology.
To learn more about the people working in and with the group, simply scroll down. To learn more about the research, teaching, and community engagement that are all part of what we do, use the tabs on the top of this page. We also have a few videos on GIS methods. To contact us, just press the button below or email Dr. Eric Jones directly here. Please enjoy!
We are a group of anthropologists dedicated to the study of human-landscape interactions. Our research seeks to use the spatial arrangement of archaeological remains and historical information to create descriptions and explanations of how and why people create and interact with their surroundings on multiple scales. We are particularly interested in how patterns of settlement, farming, and death/mourning can tell us about how socioeconomics, political ecology, race, gender, health, and demography relate to the creation of space, place, and built environments.
The history told through archaeology matters very little unless it is told with, for, and by the people connected to that past. We would not be able to do the work we do without the living communities connected to that past and without the stories and experiences that live in and with the people there. Thus, the archaeology we do is community-oriented and ultimately works to improve society through the identification of historical causes of modern conditions.
Our main research venture at this time is the Settlement Ecology of Early Rural America (SEERA) project, which seeks to understand the foundations of rural communities in the U.S. The Research page (tab above) has more details, links to publications, and copies of conference and event presentations.
We are also an all-inclusive research team. An overarching ethos of the work we do is to improve archaeology (and related fields) through increasing the diversity of people (and thus ideas) that contribute to studying and learning from the past and through empowering those that have traditionally not had a voice in the telling of history through archaeology.
To learn more about the people working in and with the group, simply scroll down. To learn more about the research, teaching, and community engagement that are all part of what we do, use the tabs on the top of this page. We also have a few videos on GIS methods. To contact us, just press the button below or email Dr. Eric Jones directly here. Please enjoy!
Meet everyone and what they're working on
Current Faculty and Graduate Student Researchers on the SEERA Project
Group Members
Jordan E. Davis (BA Calvin College, MA Anthropology South Carolina), PhD student, University of Texas. SEERA projects (2021-23): the landscape of labor in Fenner and landscapes of emerging commercial farming.
Caroline Watson (BA Wake Forest, MA Anthropology William & Mary), PhD student, The College of William & Mary. SEERA project (2018-20): GIS database management; examining the factors influencing the transition to commercial farming in Fenner. K. Pierce Wright (BA Wake Forest, MA Anthropology Alabama), current PhD student, University of Oklahoma. Jacob Daunais (BA Wake Forest, MA in GIS Science NC State), GIS specialist. SEERA project (2018-19): analyzing environmental and landscape factors in the transition to commercial farming in Fenner. Current and Former Undergraduate Researchers
Current projects and CU undergraduate research assistants/team members:
Farm economic patterns and settlement ecology of Cazenovia and Nelson, NY, 1850-1880: Ciara Wing, Peter Larsen, Bryce Stacy, Elijah Hoggard, and Grace Thompson. Late 19th-century mortality patterns in Madison and Onondaga Counties, NY: Elena Miller, Emily Reardon, Elise Suckling, Eleanor Downing, and Atticus Christiansen Landscapes of Deathwork: Victor Prieto Abby Dietrich (BA '24 South Carolina, Anthropology), SEERA Project (2023-24): production and consumption in the Town of Fenner, NY 1850-1930; women's labor and dairy production in Fenner, 1850-1880. Catherine Livingston (BA '24 South Carolina, Anthropology), SEERA Project (2022-24): examination of mortality patterns for a late 19th-century Madison County, NY Gabby Cruz (BA '24 South Carolina, Anthropology), SEERA Project (2022-23): ceramic curation and analysis Alex Ackerman (BA '24 South Carolina, Geography), SEERA Project (2022-23): census database creation and management; creation of a GIS version of an late 1800s property maps. Kelli Hajek (BA '22 South Carolina, Anthropology), archaeological technician. SEERA project (2021-22): women, dairy farming, and farm economics in Fenner. Amber Wellings (BA '22 South Carolina, Anthropology), Crew Chief, S&ME. Formerly BLM archaeologist. SEERA project (2021-22): impact of military service on farm economics in Fenner during the Civil War. Wyatt Fleming (BA '23 South Carolina, Anthropology and history). SEERA project (2021): comparing farm production and landscapes between Nelson and Fenner, NY in 1875 Megan Pangrass (BA '25 South Carolina, Anthropology and English). SEERA project (2021): 1850 NY Census transcription. Emma Grace Sprinkle (BA '20 Wake Forest; MA Clemson University, Historic Preservation) SEERA project (2019-21): examination of the environmental and landscape factors influencing the transition to commercial production in Fenner. |