Department of Anthropology (University of Maine)
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| Department of Anthropology (University of Maine) | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Department of Anthropology |
| Parent | University of Maine |
| Established | 1960s |
| Type | Academic department |
| Location | Orono, Maine |
| Website | University of Maine College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
Department of Anthropology (University of Maine) is an academic unit within the University of Maine located in Orono, Maine. The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs with emphases in cultural anthropology, archaeological science, and biological anthropology, and maintains research connections to regional institutions such as the Maine Historical Society, Peary–MacMillan Arctic Museum, and the New England Antiquities Research Association. Faculty and students engage with broader networks including the American Anthropological Association, Society for American Archaeology, and international partners like the Canadian Museum of History and University of Bergen.
History
The department grew from mid-20th-century expansions at the University of Maine alongside curricular developments tied to institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, National Park Service, and the Wabanaki Confederacy communities in Maine. Early collaborations involved archaeological surveys connected to projects overseen by the Works Progress Administration-era heritage initiatives and later federal programs such as the National Historic Preservation Act administration. During the late 20th century, faculty participation in conferences like those of the American Anthropological Association and the Society for Historical Archaeology helped establish the department’s regional profile, while fieldwork partnerships included sites linked to the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, and Maliseet nations.
Academic Programs
The department offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees that complement graduate offerings including the MA and PhD in anthropology, coordinated with graduate governance structures like the Graduate School of the University of Maine and cross-listed programs with departments at the University of New England (United States). Coursework covers subfields represented in canonical curricula developed in dialogue with standards from the American Anthropological Association and certification frameworks similar to those promoted by the Society for American Archaeology. Students can pursue concentrations in archaeological methods reflecting protocols used by the Archaeological Institute of America, biological anthropology with training comparable to programs at Harvard University and University of Michigan, and cultural anthropology engaging topics featured at venues such as the AAA Annual Meeting.
Faculty and Research
Faculty research spans historical archaeology connected to colonial-era studies of Fort Knox (Maine), bioarchaeology with comparative ties to collections at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, and ethnographic projects engaging Indigenous governance and heritage linked to the Wabanaki Confederacy and tribal governments of Passamaquoddy Tribe (Indian Township Reservation). Grants and research funding sources include agencies and foundations such as the National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and partnerships with museums like the Portland Museum of Art and academic units at Colby College and Bowdoin College. Faculty have presented at scholarly venues including the Society for Applied Anthropology, European Association of Archaeologists, and the American Association of Physical Anthropologists.
Facilities and Collections
Facilities include laboratory spaces for osteological analysis equipped to standards used by the Osteological Research Facility models at institutions like the National Museum of Natural History and archaeological conservation labs mirroring practices at the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts. The department curates collections of regional artifacts with provenance records comparable to catalogues held by the Maine State Museum and maintains skeletal and zooarchaeological reference materials that facilitate comparative study with repositories such as the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research. Field equipment and GIS resources support projects employing technologies from vendors used by field programs associated with the School for Advanced Research.
Student Organizations and Activities
Students engage through campus organizations and honor societies such as the Phi Beta Kappa-adjacent clubs, student chapters that mirror national bodies like the Society for American Archaeology student groups, and interdisciplinary initiatives coordinated with the University of Maine Museum of Art and Maine Folklife Center. Field schools and excavation projects run in the summer collaborate with regional cultural sites including the Old Town area and heritage programs linked to the Penobscot Nation. Student activities include conference participation at events such as the Northeast Historical Archaeology Conference and internships with partner organizations like the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.
Outreach and Community Engagement
Outreach priorities emphasize partnerships with Indigenous nations including the Penobscot Nation and Passamaquoddy, public archaeology initiatives with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, and K–12 education programs modeled on collaborations with the Maine Department of Education and local school districts. Public lectures and symposia have been hosted with speakers from institutions such as Smith College, Colby College, and international researchers from the University of Montreal and University of Oxford. Community archaeology projects reflect methodologies promoted by the Society for American Archaeology and ethical frameworks discussed at meetings of the American Anthropological Association.
Awards and Notable Alumni
Alumni have gone on to positions in museums, academia, and cultural resource management with appointments at institutions such as the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, National Park Service, Maine State Museum, and universities including the University of New Hampshire and University of Massachusetts Amherst. Faculty and alumni awards have included grants and recognition from the National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and fellowships comparable to those from the American Council of Learned Societies and the Fulbright Program.