Faculty Member, School of Human Evolution and Social Change
Professor of Anthropology
About
I am an archaeologist specializing in Mesoamerica and the Aztecs, with an interest in comparative preindustrial urbanism. My fieldwork focuses on excavations of commoner houses in order to reconstruct changing economic, social and political dynamics at the household level. I approach research from a materialist, poliltical economy perspective. My research and publishing focus on archaeological and comparative preindustrial approaches to urban dynamics, social stratification, forms of government, and economic processes. I also work on methods of comparing and combining archaeological and historical data.
Recently, I have become interested in comparisons between ancient and modern cities, particular with respect to housing, urban life, and city form and planning. For example, most urban housing in the ancient past was not centrally planned, and thus it shares characteristics with modern irregular/informal urban settlements. Study of modern cases can help archaeologists interpret ancient urban housing, and archaeological cases can provide historical time depth and comparative insights into modern informal settlements.
I still haven't decided whether Academic.edu is useful or not.
For my books or blogs, see my home page:
http://www.public.asu.edu/~mesmith9/
For downloads of my papers, see:
http://www.public.asu.edu/~mesmith9/Publications.html
For a transdisciplinary research project, "Urban Organization Through the Ages: Neighborhoods, Open Spaces, and Urban Life," see:
http://latelessons.asu.edu/urban
For a list of some of the books by Michael Smith that I did NOT write, see:
http://www.worldcat.org/profiles/mesmitih9@asu.edu/lists/86163
For Trout Mask Replica, see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trout_Mask_Replica
Contact Information
http://www.public.asu.edu/~mesmith9/
School of Human Evolution & Social Change
Box 2402
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287-2402
