Heather A. Wholey, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Anthropology

My life as an archaeologist began during my undergraduate education when I participated for the first time in archaeological fieldwork in upstate New York. My first “real” job after graduation was with the New York State Museum, working as a technician in their cultural resources management program. I continued to work in the CRM industry until entering graduate school and throughout my graduate school education. As such, I have worked on and supervised archaeological projects throughout the Middle Atlantic, Southeastern and Northeastern regions on sites ranging from the Paleo-Indian through Woodland period pre-colonial occupations, as well as 17th through 19th century American historic sites. I also spent a relatively brief period in the Guatemalan highlands conducting analysis on pre-Classic, Classic and post-Classic Mayan pottery. While my research competencies include the aforementioned, I specialize in the prehistory of the Eastern North American Woodlands, and most of my research is devoted to studying Archaic demography and settlement patterns of the Middle Atlantic region. I enjoy working with students in the classroom, field and lab and regularly provide occassion for guided student research. Each summer students have the opportunity to participate in my archaeological field school. This experience exposes students to real world archaeological problems and research while cultivating a profound sense of respect for the past.

Courses Offered

• Introduction to Archaeology
• Artifacts and Culture
• Museum Techniques
• Archaeology of Central America
• Archaeological Lab Methods
• Archaeological Field School
• Senior Seminar

Areas of Specialization:

• Prehistoric Archaeology
• Eastern Woodlands
• Cultural Ecology
• Demography
• Environmental Archaeology

Professional Offices Currently Held:

Pennsylvania Archaeological Council: Executive Board Member
Middle Atlantic Archaeological Conference: Executive Board Member, President Elect