Adam Watson


Adam Watson Entered 2005 awatson@Virginia.EDU
Archaeology Regional focus: American Southwest, Southwest Asia Topical Interests Middle range and complex societies, zooarchaeology, sociopolitical organization, economy, ritual, social inequality, and early agriculture. Background and Current Research As an archaeologist interested in sociopolitical dynamics, resource utilization, economy, and food production, I regard zooarchaeology as an invaluable avenue of research. Previously, I have applied faunal analysis to the study of early historic interactions between indigenous and colonial communities in northeastern North America, the social significance of prehistoric feasting and household economy in the American Southwest, and the mapping of prehistoric dietary trends in the Neolithic Near East. During the course of my research, I became increasingly fascinated with the importance of food procurement and distribution as mechanisms of social mediation. My future research will focus on the relationship between food provisioning systems, communal ritual, and social integration and differentiation within and across prehistoric communities of the American Southwest. Recent Papers/Presentations Jordan, K. & Watson, A. (2005, May). Rethinking Northern Iroquoian Use of Bone Grease. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the New York State Archaeological Association, Watertown, NY. Relevant Website: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Archaeobiology Program http://www.nmnh.si.edu/anthro/archaeobio/ :

Entered 2005
awatson@Virginia.EDU

Archaeology

Regional focus: American Southwest, Southwest Asia

Topical Interests

Middle range and complex societies, zooarchaeology, sociopolitical organization, economy, ritual, social inequality, and early agriculture.

Background and Current Research

As an archaeologist interested in sociopolitical dynamics, resource utilization, economy, and food production, I regard zooarchaeology as an invaluable avenue of research. Previously, I have applied faunal analysis to the study of early historic interactions between indigenous and colonial communities in northeastern North America, the social significance of prehistoric feasting and household economy in the American Southwest, and the mapping of prehistoric dietary trends in the Neolithic Near East. During the course of my research, I became increasingly fascinated with the importance of food procurement and distribution as mechanisms of social mediation. My future research will focus on the relationship between food provisioning systems, communal ritual, and social integration and differentiation within and across prehistoric communities of the American Southwest.

Recent Papers/Presentations

Jordan, K. & Watson, A. (2005, May). Rethinking Northern Iroquoian Use of Bone Grease. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the New York State Archaeological Association, Watertown, NY.

Relevant Website:

Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Archaeobiology Program http://www.nmnh.si.edu/anthro/archaeobio/