Texas State University

I am primarily a pre-historian and my interests converge around the religion, art, and visual validation of elite authority in New World chiefdoms and early states. My primary focus is Mesoamerican Civilization. I spend a great deal of my research energy examining the art and symbols of the ancient Olmec (1200-400 BC), and Classic Maya (AD 200-900) cultures. In 1995 I was a guest curator and a catalog contributor to the Princeton University exhibition "The Olmec World: Art, Ritual, and Rulership." I have published articles on the ecological origin of Olmec symbols, the influence of Olmec symbols on the iconography of Maya rulership and the origin and function of the Olmec symbol system. My current interests, besides the ancient Olmec and Maya, include the art and iconography of the prehistoric Mississippian Period of the Southeastern United States. In 2004 I was a member of the advisory board and a catalog contributor to the Art Institute of Chicago exhibition "Hero, Hawk, and Open Hand; Ancient Native American Art of the Midwest and South."
In 2011 I was chosen as the Field Anthropologist Consultant for the Muscogee Nation of Florida. The tribe hopes I will be able to offer fresh insight, research material and advice as they seek federal recognition. This is the final phase of a 63 year journey and the tribe asked me for assistance in this last step because of my extensive knowledge of Muscogee government, ceremonial cycles and traditions.