Summary Statement of Research Interests My research centers on archaeology & politics (why the past matters) and ancient innovation & social change (material reflections of new ideas). I am particularly interested in the ways that beliefs about the world figure in social change, whether in Ancient Egypt and the Near East or in Native American landscapes in coastal California. As Curator of USC's Archaeology Research Center I am engaged in technical material studies, excavation publication projects, and research involving lasers and also new imaging techniques in archaeological research and conservation. Research Specialties Amuq Valley Research Project Survey (Turkey) Kenan Tepe Excavations (Tigris River, Turkey) Native American Sacred Landscapes Project (California) Tell al-Judaidah Publication Project (Turkey) Israeli Palestinian Archaeology Working Group (Co-organizer)