PRENTISS, Anna M.

Dr. Prentiss is an archaeologist with specialties in evolutionary theory, lithic technology, hunter-gatherers, and cultural resource management. Her geographic research focus is western North America and the North Pacific Rim. Field research activities have included archaeological surveys and excavations in Montana and British Columbia. Her recent publications (as W.C. Prentiss with various co-authors) include "The Archaeology of the Plateau of Northwestern North America During the Late Prehistoric Period (3500-200 B.P.): Evolution of Hunting and Gathering Societies" (Journal of World Prehistory 19(1):47-118), "A Darwinian Macro-Evolutionary Perspective on the Development of Hunter-Gatherer Systems in Northwestern North America" (World Archaeology 37(1):46-65), "Cultural Diversification and Decimation in the Prehistoric Record" (Current Anthropology 44(1):33-58), "The Evolution of Collector Systems on the Pacific Coast of Northwest North America" (Senri Ethnological Studies 63:49-82), "Calibrated Radiocarbon Dating at Keatley Creek: The Chronology of Occupation at a Complex Hunter-Gatherer Village" (American Antiquity 68(4):719-738), and "Complex Hunter-Gatherers: Evolution and Organization of Prehistoric Communities on the Plateau of Northwestern North America" (edited book, University of Utah Press).

Dr. Prentiss supervises numerous MA and Ph.D. level graduate students whose research topics include studies of lithic technology, lithic sourcing, zooarchaeology, radiocarbon dating, roasting pit features, housepit stratigraphy, regional settlement patterns, rock art, and bison bone beds. Her former students have obtained careers in a wide variety of capacities including federal land management agencies and private cultural resource management firms. Others have pursued further education towards MA and Ph.D. degrees at such universities as UCLA, Washington State University, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, and Cornell University.

 

Classes Taught

  • Introduction to Anthropology (ANTH 101H)
  • Foundations of Civilization (ANTH 251S)
  • Archaeology of North America (ANTH 351)
  • Archaeology of Montana (ANTH 352)
  • Lithic Technology (ANTH 454)
  • Archaeology of the Pacific Northwest (ANTH 457)
  • Archaeology of Hunter-Gatherers (ANTH 458)
  • Archaeology of the Arctic and Subarctic (ANTH 459)
  • Proposal Preparation and Contract Management (ANTH 601)