Dr. David M. Hyde
David Hyde, Ph.D., has taught at Western Colorado University in the Anthropology program since 2011, and was one of the founders of the MGMM program.
Areas of Expertise or Experience
My primary research interests broadly encompass the socio-political and economic organization of hinterland communities in the Maya lowlands. My current research contributes to the growing body of literature on the complex nature of commoner society, specifically dealing with themes of economic autonomy, commoner ritual behavior, social inequality, and political competition. I have investigated these themes and others as director of the Medicinal Trail Site Archaeological Project, part of the Programme for Belize Archaeological Project (PfBAP), a research program in northwestern Belize.
Publishing or Professional Activity
Scholarly pursuits include over 50 publications, including 6 peer-reviewed, and more than 40 papers presented at professional conferences across the United States, and internationally. I am co-editor of the journal El Conejo and the Occasional Papers monograph series, both published through the Center for Archaeological and Tropical Studies.
I have and continue to present papers at regional, national and international conferences, including the Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, the Rocky Mountain Pre-Columbian Association Research Colloquium, the Annual Meeting of the Colorado Council of Professional Archaeologists, and the Belize Archaeology Symposium.
Dr. Lynn Sikkink Ph.D., University of Minnesota, Anthropology
M.A., University of Minnesota, Anthropology
B.A., University of Colorado, Anthropology
Hurst Hall 31C
Dr. Mark Stiger
Who is Mark Stiger?
Mark Stiger is a highly respected archaeology professor known for his expertise in the study of ancient artifacts in the Gunnison vally. With over two decades of experience in the field, he has dedicated his career to uncovering the mysteries of past lives and sharing his knowledge with students and fellow researchers. Dr. Stiger is particularly renowned for his work on the knowledge and discoveries of over half a million artifacts, having conducted extensive research on the anatomy, behavior, and ecological roles of previous humans. He is also a passionate advocate for science education and outreach, frequently giving talks and presentations to inspire the next generation of archaeologists. As a mentor to many aspiring scientists, Dr. Stiger is known for his enthusiasm, patience, and dedication to helping his students succeed. His contributions to the field of archeology have earned him numerous accolades and awards, cementing his status as one of the foremost experts in his field.
Published Books?
Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology of the Colorado High Country - Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology of the Colorado High Country offers data on 8,000 years of cultural change across a wide area of western Colorado and updates archaeological methodology in the mountain West.
The Mountaineer Site: A Folsom Winter Camp in the Rockies - The Mountaineer Site presents over a decade’s worth of archaeological research conducted at Mountaineer, a Paleoindian campsite in Colorado’s Upper Gunnison Basin. Mountaineer is one of the very few extensively excavated, long-term Folsom occupations with evidence of built structures. The site provides a rich record of stone tool manufacture and use, as well as architectural features, and offers insight into Folsom period adaptive strategies from a time when the region was still in the grip of a waning Ice Age.
Dr. Lynn Sikkink
How did you discover Western?
I was working in California at a big commuter school and longed to come back to my roots in Colorado. I watched the job ads for Western specifically, as a small institution with a private school feel located in some of the most beautiful parts of the Rockies. I was thrilled to get the job, and the opportunity to work here also came with great colleagues.
What are some of the highlights of your career?
Working in the Andes of Peru and Bolivia and doing fieldwork in both archaeology and cultural anthropology were some of my most rewarding fieldwork experiences. I had two Fulbright awards in Bolivia, and on one I was able to work with Bolivian graduate students. The work I conducted on my second Fulbright is about the commercialization of traditional medicines in Bolivian marketplaces (New Cures, Old Medicines, Cengage 2010).
Since coming to Western, I have developed a field school in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. Getting to know the place alongside my students has been eye-opening and endlessly interesting.
What most excites you about your field?
Anthropology has the broadest scope of any field in that it studies humanity through time and space. Some anthropologists research our earliest ancestors; on the other end of the spectrum, anthropologists consider the culture of work in Silicon Valley.
What is your favorite thing about the Gunnison Valley?
Because of the wealth of archaeological sites and cultural traditions clustered in the Four Corners area, we are able to take Western students on some amazing field trips.
Dr. Mark Stiger Ph.D., University of New Mexico
M.A., University of Colorado
B.A., University of Colorado
Hurst Hall 25B