Julie Field to Present Archaeology Lecture September 17

WOOSTER, Ohio – Julie Field, associate professor of anthropology at The Ohio State University, will present “Pacific Island Colonization and Ecological Transformation: Perspectives from Fiji,” on Monday, Sept. 17, at The College of Wooster. The lecture, which is open to the public, begins at 7:30 p.m. in Lean Lecture Room of Wishart Hall (303 E. University St.).

Field will discuss archaeological research she conducted in Fiji that identifies particular colonization events and the cumulative impact of human populations on the island’s environments. She will trace the history of fire, erosion, and the introduction of plants for food production to examine the trajectory of Fijian history, both in terms of human history and natural history.

Field’s research focuses on human-environmental interaction, in particular the transition to agriculture by prehistoric Pacific Islanders. She also studies the emergence and persistence of conflict, competition, and cooperation in human societies, and the application of evolutionary models to study the past. Her research employs archaeological investigation, isotopic analysis, and GIS-based analysis of landforms and ecological variables. She received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Washington and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii.

Field’s lecture is sponsored by the Archaeological Institute of America, as well as Wooster’s archaeology student colloquium, program in archaeology, cultural events committee, and chapter of Lambda Alpha national honorary society. There will be an open reception with beverages and snacks after the presentation in the foyer outside the lecture room.

Additional information is available by phone 330-263-2474 or by email.

Posted in Event on September 18, 2018.