Ecological Archaeology Lab
Ecological
Archaeology Lab
The Oregon State University Ecological Archaeology Lab focuses on understanding the relationships between cultural keystone species and past people, specifically drawing on archaeological methods and data to support people’s livelihoods today. We primarily work with past and present people-plant relationships, although we are also dedicated to exploring the dynamics between humans, landscapes, and other biological organisms across space and time. In this scholarship, we seek to braid Indigenous Knowledge traditions, western scientific knowledge, and plant or animal knowledges together. We are strongly committed to collaborative, inclusive, and multi-vocal archaeology and anthropology, and to bridging gaps between cultural resource management, academia, and the communities who have lived in North America since time immemorial.
The lab is set up for the identification and analysis of archaeobotanical and ethnobiological materials. Our lab features Leica microscopes and imaging systems for the analysis and documentation of a variety of archaeological remains and comparative specimens. We prioritize macrobotanical and starch processing, extraction, and identification. We also work with the Electron Microscopy Facility and the Microtomography (microCT) Facility on our analyses of plant materials.
Our botanical comparative collections include seeds, wood, geophytes, starch, and herbarium voucher specimens, with a regional focus on the North American Pacific Northwest and the Eastern Woodlands. We are in the process of building this collection and imaging these reference materials. Once imaged these will be uploaded to this space and the Northwest Native Plants website.
We welcome collaborators and students from all backgrounds and interests into the lab and keep a lab manual to help maintain a safe, transparent, and inclusive space. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together.
Opportunities & Contacts
We welcome collaborators from all backgrounds and interests into the Ecological Archaeology Laboratory. Please reach out to Dr. Carney if you’d like to work together on a project. We are also happy to host anyone interested in learning more about paleoethnobotany or geophyte identifications – just reach out.
Some volunteer remote opportunities for ethnobotanical research experience are available.
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate research in the lab is focused on training and mentoring successful students. While we primarily focus on paleoethnobotanical questions, the skills learned in this space will prepare students with laboratory and data generation and manipulation skillsets applicable beyond archaeology or academia. Students interested in pursuing continuing education or professional programs will also be encouraged to design their own questions, present their work at conferences, network and create connections outside the lab, and publish their work in peer-reviewed journals. As it takes time to learn these skills, undergraduates interested in our group’s work and/or wishing to gain research experience should be prepared to commit to at least one full year of work in the lab. I ask that students commit to a minimum of one term with 2 or more credits of ANTH 401 before we explore OSU URSA or other opportunities. Students interested in joining should contact Dr. Carney and read the lab manual.
Graduate Students
Graduate students are expected to undertake original research and scholarship and to present and publish their work at conferences and within peer-reviewed journals. MA students are encouraged join existing projects while PhD students are expected to have a draft of a research prospectus or question. All interested students should contact Dr. Carney by mid fall to discuss your interests and learn about potential opportunities. Please visit our projects page to see what opportunities currently exist. It may be possible to facilitate other collections-based forms of scholarship. Guidelines for applying can be found on the Anthropology website.