MA in Anthropology in Boulder United States | University of Colorado Boulder

The archaeology specialization offers comprehensive geographic insights into ancient civilizations, spanning from North America's Plains across the Southwest and Mesoamerica to the Intermediate Area. These indigenous communities varied from simple hunter-gatherer groups to complex urban societies and imperial systems. Faculty research focuses on diverse areas including environmental adaptation, ethnoarchaeological studies, social dynamics, stone tool and pottery examination, along with technological applications like remote sensing in archaeological investigations.

Archaeology maintains strong connections to cultural anthropology, as many archaeological frameworks originate from cultural theories. With its broad historical scope, archaeology also develops unique theoretical approaches beyond ethnographic parallels. Ethnoarchaeology bridges both fields, where researchers examine modern societies' material remains to enhance interpretations of ancient practices. Both disciplines investigate interacting ethnic and political entities, exploring themes like historical ethnography, population movements, cultural adaptation, economic exchange, military conquest, knowledge transmission, elite imitation, and the emergence of multicultural empires.