North American Archaeology

Mentor Areas

Professor Kassabaum's research interests include: 

• Archaeology of North America, Eastern Woodlands
• Prehistoric archaeology, Woodland Period
• Native American and Indigenous studies
• Monument construction and communal ritual
• Mounds and plazas
• Temporal perspectives in archaeology
• Food and feasting; ceramic technology
• Public and museum archaeology
• Community archaeology
• Archaeology of the Philadelphia region
• African-American archaeology

Description:

The North American Archaeology Laboratory offers a variety of research assistant opportunities for undergraduates of all levels. Depending on the specific student's interest, this could include field or collections-based research, in-depth analyses of many material types, public and museum anthropology, and academic anthropology. Given successful research, additional opportunities through the Penn Museum may be possible. A small number of virtual mentoring projects are also available.

Many opportunities focus around prehistoric Native American mound sites in southwestern Mississippi. The sites dates from approximately 200 BC to AD 1300 and were occupied during a fascinating time in the prehistory of the American South, including changes in ritual practice, the beginning of large-scale agriculture, and the development of social hierarchy. During most summers, both field and lab-based opportunities are available and lab work continues throughout the school year. The project relies on the laboratory analysis of archaeological materials including pottery, stone, plant remains, and animal remains. Students will get first hand experience with excavated material and learn methods of archaeological analysis as well as museum processing and interpretation of anthropological data for the public. This will require use of the labs in both the Anthropology Department and the Center for the Analysis of Archaeological Materials (CAAM) in the Penn Museum. More information about one of these projects can be found at https://www.penn.museum/research/project.php?pid=46

Many other opportunities focus around the Heritage West Project. Heritage West is a community-informed archaeological project created with the goal of using archaeology to highlight the stories of individuals who lived in the Black Bottom neighborhood of West Philadelphia from the 19th century to the present. Through the Heritage West Project, we strive to highlight the love, community, and humanity of the Black Bottom neighborhood and recognize the violence of its destruction. 
Heritage West seeks to bring together the Penn and West Philadelphia communities in uncovering lost stories and uplifting the voices of the thriving Black community that was extinguished through racist practices under the guise of urban renewal. More information about this project can be found at https://www.heritagewestphl.org/

Preferred Qualifications

While no specific knowledge is necessary, good organizational skills and a basic understanding of archaeology and/or anthropology are preferred. Anthropology, Archaeological Science, and Native American and Indigenous Studies students will be given preference.