Ongoing Research Projects

Middle Grant Creek Excavations

Middle Grant Creek is located at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Will County, Illinois. It is an early 17th century Native American village. Since 2016, we have been conducting geophysical surveys and excavating a collection of storage pits that contain the inhabitants’ refuse. Excavations are volunteer powered through the Passport in Time Program in partnership with the Forest Service, USDA. We are funded through the University of Notre Dame and the Forest Service.

Human Environment Entanglements

I use pollen analysis and stable isotopes to reconstruct human-environment entanglements. I establish long term vegetation change, human impact, and archaeological plant use using pollen analysis conducted at different scales on sediments from wetlands and archaeological sites. With Mark Schurr, I am using stable 18O isotopes in freshwater shells to reconstruct the local climate during the Little Ice Age (AD 1300 to 1800) and contemporary global warming. This research is funded by the University of Notre Dame and the Forest Service, USDA.

Locating midwestern Landscapes

Working with Jesse Casana, we are using remote sensing to rethink Midwestern archaeological sites and locate archaeological features, especially structures, earth works, and agricultural fields. This project aims to provide a more complete picture of pre-European landscapes as well as preserve spaces that have been severely impacted by historical and contemporary agricultural, commercial, residential, and industrial development. This research is funded by SPARC.