User:TriNotch

I am an archaeologist.

Evolutionary Biology Class

I am currently teaching a course in Evolutionary Biology, and my students are adding to Wikipedia to expand global access to biological information. Links to follow.

Wikipedia Role

I am an (intermittently) active editor on Wikipedia for ethical reasons. Specifically, I believe the taxpayers of the United States (and the rest of the world) fund archaeology ONLY BECAUSE IT IS INTERESTING. We can rationalize our work by saying that we are addressing fundamental human problems, facilitating human inter-cultural understanding, or celebrating our shared heritage- and all that is true. Sometimes, we may be able to offer social critique. But for the most part our contribution is a form of entertainment.

If our essential job, then, is to entertain (albeit in a scientific framework) then our greatest responsibilities are two-fold: Do Good Archaeology, and Distribute The Information to the People.

Where do most people today get their information about archaeology from?

Wikipedia.

TriNotch: My wiki handle is from one of the best known projectile points (arrow heads) of the Mississippian culture, the very classy looking Cahokian tri-notched point (which perhaps I will find an image of one day).

I'm working on a doctorate in the archaeology of the Southeastern United States (UPDATE: I completed my doctorate in 2016). I have done fieldwork in Illinois, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Mexico. I read Spanish fairly well but probably not well enough to make significant contributions.

I created the wiki pages for the following articles and/or stubs:

I have also edited many pages to add or correct information on Native American prehistory, and intend to do more. I am a member of the WikiProject on Indigenous people of North America and the WikiProject Archaeology.