Bennet Bronson - Curator of Asian Archaeology and Ethnology, works on evolution of technology and trade in Asia. He notes that "the ancient world had surprising similarities to our own in terms of the importance of commercial competition, the effects of technological progress and the causes of economic development and decline." In line with these interests he has been involved for a number of years in a program of archaeological and ethnographic work in Asia combined with research on the Asian collections. He has collaborated with several specialists outside the museum on studies of early metallurgy in southeast Asia and China. Along with Chuimei Ho, Adjunct Assistant Curator in anthropology, he has completed most of the analysis of excavations conducted by The Field Museum and the Thai Fine Arts Department at ancient seaports in southern Thailand. Ho and Bronson have also started a three-year project in Southeast China, focusing on the early ceramic and metal industries. This research effort includes work on collections, including studies of Chinese and Japanese bronze objects dating to AD 1400-1900, East and Southeast Asian textiles, and early glass and glaze chemistry. This work promises to throw new light on patterns of early international trade. Research Site: • The Boone Collection Anne P. Underhill - Assistant Curator, Asian Archaeology and Ethnology. Anne Underhill's research focuses on the development of complex societies during the late Neolithic period in northern China. Her dissertation (1990, Department of Anthropology, University of British Columbia) examines change over time in pottery production during the Longshan period in the Yellow River valley (ca. 2600-1900 B.C.). Longshan pottery shows a high level of technical skill, and numerous scholars have suggested that some form of craft specialization existed, especially for the famous "eggshell" ware of Shandong province. Her systematic investigation of previously excavated and published vessels from Longshan sites in Henan and Shandong (studying vessels in Chinese storage areas) suggest that two types of craft specialization existed throughout the Longshan period, independent producers making utilitarian wares, and potters sponsored by high-ranking people making labor-intensive wares. Her work during the past several years investigates regional variation in production and use of pottery vessels during the late Neolithic period, especially vessels found in burials. Also, in order to better understand the constraints potters face and how the material remains of pottery production could be deposited in archaeological sites, Anne conducted an ethnoarchaeological study of pottery production among ethnic minorities during 1992-1994 in two rural areas of China where traditional techniques are still used, Xinjiang (Uighur potters) and Guizhou (Buyi potters, the focus). In Guizhou, potters use wooden kick wheels they make themselves, a technology that could have existed during the late Neolithic period. Her study suggests that archaeologists should examine change over time in spatial areas used in all steps of production in order to make conclusions about change in organization of production. Since 1995, Anne's Sino-American team has conducted a systematic, regional survey in the Rizhao area of southeastern Shandong province. Her colleagues include Gary M. Feinman and Linda M. Nicholas, Department of Anthropology, Field Museum, and four archaeologists from Shandong University in Jinan city. To date, the team has completely surveyed over 350 km of land. Their survey was the first systematic, regional survey in the Yellow River valley and has covered more area than any other survey in East Asia. The team has demonstrated that the Longshan site of Liangchengzhen is by far the largest in the area and is the center of a regional settlement hierarchy. In order to better understand the nature of this important settlement, Anne and her Chinese colleagues conducted small-scale excavations in 1998 and a full-scale excavation in 1999. Our team is grateful to the following institutions for their generous support: National Science Foundation (High Risk Exploratory Grant, survey 1995), Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research (survey, 1996), Henry Luce Foundation (survey 1997, 1998, 1999 and excavations during 1998 and 1999). Anne Underhill and Gary Feinman recently were awarded a large grant from the National Science Foundation to continue their survey and excavation for another two years. Other Anthropology Department Research: Africa | Asia | Archaeological Science | Caribbean |Cultural Understanding | Mesoamerica | North America | South America | Oceania