1. Scope of Work
I propose to become part of the Humboldt State University faculty so that I may enhance the
field of Archaeology taught at the university with my skill set. My abilities are particularly
crafted to not only introduce undergraduate students to a multitude of interdisciplinary
archaeologically focused research opportunities but also allow graduate students seeking to
immerse themselves in Zooarchaeology, Geoarchaeology, and/or Paleoethnobotany an
opportunity to create an acceptable Master’s thesis through Humboldt State University. In
addition, I purpose to jump start a field school in Ethiopia aimed towards Zooarchaeology. I have
been working with Zooarchaeologist of Washington University in St. Louis Fiona Marshall
during the creation of my dissertations and have developed a research plan to further the
domestic origins of the Ethiopian donkey (Rossel et al 2008).
The opportunity for students to become acquainted with a broader array of
interdisciplinary approaches to archaeology is very valuable in this day and age with so many
competitors having to fill specialized niches to succeed. This set of classes and fieldwork that I
have the ability to bring to Humboldt State University will not only give students the standard
education in the realm of anthropology and archaeology but also give them the extra edge of
learning how to combine disciplines both within and external of archaeology. Undergraduate and
Graduate students that work with me will learn foundational knowledge bases to start full careers
and the Anthropological field offered at Humboldt State University will rise in strides at the
quality of Archaeologists, both undergraduate and graduates who will emerge with degrees.

2. Background
I can be a great asset to the Humboldt State University faculty on several main fronts.
The first is that for undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in an interdisciplinary
approach to archaeology there are few representative authorities on Zooarchaeology and no
authorities offering coursework on Paleoethnobotany or Geoarchaeology. While the current
faculty has not only an immensely diverse skillset and geographical base (i.e. Professor Cortes-
Rincon in Belize, Professor Glen in Grenada, Professor Robertson in South Africa, and Professor
Scoggin in China), my skillset will expand on that diversity incorporate new feats in
archaeological method while opening up new locations accessible to the student body in
Ethiopia.
Another substantial issue that my services may aid dwells in the new graduate program
offered at Humboldt State University in Applied Anthropology. I believe it that case that while
this program can be taken many ways the faculty may only provide feedback for what is in their
own knowledge base. With my expertise on Zooarchaeological, Geoarchaeological, and
Paleoethnobotaical research I could broaden the turnout of graduate students by increasing
graduate opportunities in thesis production.
As it is I have currently been working on my own research in the various interdisciplinary
venues. I have submitted with this proposal a report written during my undergraduate years on
Resource Intensification in northeastern California. I aim to expand on this work and apply its
methods to hunter-gatherer societies in Ethiopia offering potential thesis projects on food
procurement and processing to graduate students. I have also included an article discussing the
place of geophysical testing for archaeological remains, particularly earthworks titled

3. Geophysical Indicators of Culturally Emplaced Soils and Sediments. While I feel as though
contemporary methods may not be feasible I would like to work with students to develop
appropriate, non-invasive technologies that may be used in archaeological investigations. Long
time goals might include full data recovery with little to no site disturbance. While I currently
have no active fieldwork in the domain of Paleoethnobotany I have been working with
Paleoethnobotanist at Washington University, St. Louis Gayle Fritz and hope to apply her
methods of American Indian botanical interactions with Non-American Indian Settlers to the
tribally diverse North California Coast that Humboldt is situated within.
Methods
My first objective is to establish courses valuable to both undergraduates and graduates. I
would like to offer courses in different divisions elaborating on interdisciplinary methods and
ideology as undergraduate students still interested move on to graduate positions. The
coursework will remain general rather than geographically specific and case studies will draw
from multiple geographical venues and change through time as better case studies are produced
and new methodologies are presented. This will allow students to fit into their own interests
rather than be molded into cookie cutter shapes of my own work. This coursework will be done
in addition with other General Education courses including, but not limited to, introductory
courses in Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology and Pre-world History, Physical Anthropology,
and Linguistic Anthropology.
Students will be further encouraged during courses on Paleoethnobotany to take on
projects with neighboring tribes near Humboldt State University. I plan on not only establishing
classes that work in the framework of the university but also working closely with the interested

4. Tribal Nations. I hope to expand upon the already present Ethnobotany course with the Karuk
tribe and push students interested in Paleoethnobotany to learn how to interact appropriately with
tribal Nations.
For students who gravitate towards any of the three interdisciplinary approaches afore
mentioned they will have the opportunity to attend a summer fieldschool with myself and several
graduate students from Washington University in St. Louis under the instruction of myself and
Fiona Marshall. Undergraduate students will be given the opportunity to gain exposure to
fieldwork and cultural experience in foreign location. In contrast, graduate students will be given
the opportunity to formulate their own research and test theses from any and/or all
interdisciplinary approaches afore mentioned. These graduate students will be working closely
with me to formulate and complete their thesis.
Lastly, I hope to bring new and innovative investigation methods to the Cultural
Resources Facility on campus. Not only will new approaches be brought in at their convenience
but I also aim to present students in training to the CRF that are able to aid in Zooarchaeological,
Geoarchaeological, and Paleoethnobotanical analysis and investigation. This may allow the
Cultural Resources Facility to open up new projects with other grantees and, while increasing
overall funding, allow for students to gain training the Cultural Resources Management.