Scott Van Keuren

Associate Professor

Alma mater(s)
  • Ph.D., University of Arizona, 2001

BIO

Scott Van Keuren, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, received his B.A. in Art History and B.S. in Anthropology from Southern Methodist University, and M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Arizona. Prior to his appointment at UVM, he was Curator of North American Archaeology and Head of Archaeology at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and taught courses at the University of Southern California and the California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech).

Dr. Van Keuren is a North American archaeologist who specializes in the study of ancient cultures of the US Southwest and the analysis of pottery decoration and technology. His current work examines the economic and political organization of Ancestral Pueblo (or "Anasazi") societies near the end of the pre-Hispanic period. He is also writing a book on ceremony in the ancient Southwest.

His interests include materiality, ritual and religion, community archaeology, the preservation and stewardship of archaeological sites, and museum studies. He regularly teaches “Introduction to Prehistoric Archaeology” and a range of special-topic courses.

Publications

Scott Van Keuren on Academia

Area(s) of expertise

North American archaeology; ancient societies of the US Southwest; ceramic decoration and technology; materiality; ritual; preservation archaeology.

Bio

Scott Van Keuren, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, received his B.A. in Art History and B.S. in Anthropology from Southern Methodist University, and M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Arizona. Prior to his appointment at UVM, he was Curator of North American Archaeology and Head of Archaeology at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and taught courses at the University of Southern California and the California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech).

Dr. Van Keuren is a North American archaeologist who specializes in the study of ancient cultures of the US Southwest and the analysis of pottery decoration and technology. His current work examines the economic and political organization of Ancestral Pueblo (or "Anasazi") societies near the end of the pre-Hispanic period. He is also writing a book on ceremony in the ancient Southwest.

His interests include materiality, ritual and religion, community archaeology, the preservation and stewardship of archaeological sites, and museum studies. He regularly teaches “Introduction to Prehistoric Archaeology” and a range of special-topic courses.

Areas of Expertise

North American archaeology; ancient societies of the US Southwest; ceramic decoration and technology; materiality; ritual; preservation archaeology.