Through industrialization, humans transformed the world, introducing social and environmental changes of unprecedented scope, scale, and speed that continue to impact us today. Industrial archaeologists study the history and heritage of industry, including its roots, evolution, and the patchy decline of postindustrial places. At Michigan Tech, we use interdisciplinary studies of the material remains and social memories of industrial workplaces, landscapes, and communities. Our research focuses on the social, political, and ecological construction of technological systems. We also examine the patrimony of industrial societies, considering how communities cope with the onset, effort, and consequences of industrial wealth production.
| Faculty | Areas of Interest |
|---|---|
Industrial archaeology; Industrial heritage; Historical archaeology | |
Heritage Management and Studies; Prehistoric Archaeology; Native American Technologies; Ancient Copper; Food Systems | |
Historical and Industrial Archaeologies, History of Technology; Ecobiography, Religion and Identity; Archaeological Science and Culture Theory; Ceramic Petrology, Neutron Activation Analysis; Electronic and Distance Education and Anthropology; Archaeology and Cross-Curriculum, Experiential Education | |
Historical and Industrial Archaeology; Social, Economic, and Political Dimensions of Haciendas, Plantations, and Industrial Communities in the American West, Latin America, and the Caribbean; Issues Related to Colonialism, World-Systems Analysis, post-Colonailism, and Globalization; Relevance of Archaeology and Heritage to Identity Formation and Contemporary Social Systems | |