Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Anthropology & Archaeology

 

student excavating a pig burial

The UIndy Department of Anthropology provides unique research opportunities for its students, often centering around discoveries found at field sites. For instance, Dr. Chistopher Moore is currently working with students to study the artifacts recovered from the early 19th century Baum’s Landing site, excavated by UIndy between 2013 and 2017. Graduate and undergraduate students have been working on a variety of projects related to this work, including the study of the site’s historic ceramics, tobacco pipes, buttons, and bottle glass.

Current Student Research Projects

 

The Wildcat Archaeological Research Project (WARP)

Undergraduate 4:1 student Harrison Funke is working with Dr. Moore and Dr. Leah Courtland (Department of Physics & Earth-Space Sciences) on an interdisciplinary geophysical study of the Robinson-Baum cemetery in Delphi, Indiana. The goal of the project is to map the distribution of the 150-year-old burials in this pioneer cemetery.

Undergraduate 4:1 student Brianna Baker is analyzing late 19th and early 20th century artifacts from Site 12T947, a historic farmstead located within the current boundaries of Prophetstown State Park. Brianna is currently analyzing the ceramics and glass vessels from the site to better understand changes in household consumption and wealth over time.

Graduate 4:1 student Angela Blankenship is analyzing Native American artifacts from the Late Woodland Demerly site in Carroll County, Indiana. Angela is studying the Albee Phase pottery from the site and is investigating the organization of stone tool production during the Albee Phase.

Undergraduate student Nicholas Tibbs is studying tobacco pipes and tobacco consumption at the Baum’s Landing site in order to better understand the ways in which early pioneers obtained and used tobacco. He is particularly interested in the connections between east coast and Midwestern markets along the Wabash & Erie Canal.

Undergraduate 4:1 student Jenna Yeater is currently analyzing a large collection of American Indian artifacts from a private collection from Carroll County, Indiana. This analysis will help us better understand the archaeological cultures that were present in the region over the past 12,000+ years.

The Materiality of Ghosts

Dr. Moore and Dr. Samantha Meigs (Experience Design) are developing an interdisciplinary project studying the role of ghosts and the paranormal in popular culture. Undergraduate student Mikayla Williams is working with graduate student Erin Edwards to study the artifacts from the archaeological remains of the mysterious House of Blue Lights, a local Indianapolis area legendary site.

Funding

There are many ways to get involved in research, and some original research experiences may require funding. The Shaheen College of Arts & Sciences supports student research and scholarly activity through grant opportunities to offset costs such as research supplies and travel.

Want To Get Involved?

Students wishing to obtain hands-on lab experience working with artifacts from archaeological sites can volunteer in the Material Culture Laboratory or sign up for the Research Experience class (ANTH 382) for one-half to four credits per semester. Students may join ongoing research projects or start a research project of their own.

Students also have an opportunity to contribute to Dr. Nelson’s faculty-led research projects (Virtual Sexual Economies Project; Korean Drama Analysis Project) and work with undergraduate and graduate student researchers and faculty from other institutions within the Ethnographic Research Lab or to engage in service-learning opportunities with local organizations.

Conferences give your research a voice

Students are encouraged (but not required) to present their work at professional conferences and to pursue publication. Professors have taken students to multiple conferences and meetings in both anthropology and archaeology each year.

Conferences, annual meetings and hosting organizations have included:
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