QRC members lead and participate in a wide range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary research projects from the study of past earth climates and glaciations to shifts in the geographic distributions and evolution of vegetation and faunal communities, to the evolution and dispersals of the genus Homo and the increasing scales of human modification of earth environments through the Holocene. QRC provides a venue for meeting and collaborating with scholars across Quaternary disciplines. We are also fortunate to be able to provide seed funding and small grants for member research projects. We are especially happy to support grad student and junior scholar research activities, much of which leads to larger, external funding from agencies like the National Science Foundation.
A pilot geochemical analysis of sediment samples from Prasat Basaet, Battambang province, Cambodia
Abstract: The goal of this project is to use geochemical analysis of sediments to explore the relationship between human occupation, environmental change, and Angkorian empire expansion at the site of Prasat Basaet in northwest Cambodia. The Khmer empire, located mostly in Cambodia, was the largest premodern polity in mainland Southeast Asia, dominant from the 9th to the 15th century. With the expansion of the Khmer empire, the construction of temples altered the landscape and brought changes to local settlements. Studying the archaeological evidence inside temple enclosures can help to understand the process and the impacts of Angkorian expansion and urbanization. We ask: Can we identify changes in land use after the Angkorian empire expansion, and what were those changes in relation to human occupation.
In this pilot study, we focus on Prasat Basaet, a provincial temple complex located southwest of Angkor capital dated from the 6th to the 17th century. A major event indicating the Angkorian expansion at Prasat Basaet was the construction of a temple. We will analyze sediment samples collected from the site using standard geochemical methods, such as GC-MS and GC-C-IRMS, to identify changes in relation to human activities relating to the construction of the temple. We expect to find evidence of changes in land use and residential patterns after the empire expansion. Our geochemical analysis of sediments will give us insight into the interaction between humans and the environment that we can correlate with historical records and other archaeological records to make inferences about the impacts of expansion of imperial power on local places.
Preserving the Past Together: A Seminar in Cultural and Environmental Heritage Management
Abstract: This year long seminar will bring together archaeologists at the University of Washington with a diverse group of heritage professionals outside of academia. Seminar participants will discuss the current challenges and future possibilities for developing inclusive approaches to heritage management that integrate the needs of multiple stewards and stakeholders within the Pacific Northwest. Organized as a series of public lectures with discussion panels, workshops and a capstone conference, the seminar will include participants and representatives from tribal governments, local, federal, and state institutions and agencies, and professionals employed within private cultural resource management (CRM) firms. Our objectives are to build new networks of knowledge sharing among these diverse stewards and stakeholders that will result in a series of pilot community-based partnerships that address critical needs associated with preserving and protecting history and heritage within our region. From these dialogues and projects we will create an archive of best practices and guidelines for community-based approaches to archaeological practice and heritage management.
The University of Washington is uniquely positioned to host and facilitate this dialogue. Combined with the campus’ ongoing commitment to strengthening its relationship with local tribal nations and campus initiatives designed to retain and train Native American and other indigenous descendent students, UW faculty in Anthropology, History, and AIS are currently engaged in a number of community-based heritage partnerships with tribal nations in Washington and Oregon. This seminar will draw upon these strengths, using them to provide national leadership in this critical aspect of heritage management and archaeological practice.