Faculty Profile
Matthew Biwer
(he/him/his)Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Archaeology (2021)
Contact Information
DEAL - ARCH Annex, 162 Dickinson Ave Room 3
Bio
I am an anthropological archaeologist and paleoethnobotanist. Through the lens of ancient plant remains, my research encompasses the dynamic social and political processes surrounding foodways, social and political change, and the development and expansion of states and empires. My field and laboratory research is primarily focused in Peru, but I have also worked in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Some of my recent work has focused on the use of beer and hallucinogens in the politics of ancient Andean states, the identification of chuño (freeze-dried potato) using starch granules recovered from artifacts, and the role of food in colonial encounters and culture contact.
Education
- B.A., Ripon College, 2009: M.A., University of California, Santa Barbara, 2011
- Ph.D., 2019
2025-2026 Academic Year
Fall 2025
ANTH 262 South American Archaeology
Cross-listed with ARCH 262 and LALC 262-01.
ARCH 262 South American Archaeology
Cross-listed with ANTH 262-01 and LALC 262-01.
LALC 262 South American Archaeology
Cross-listed with ANTH 262-01 and ARCH 262-01.
ANTH 345 Archaeology of Food
Cross-listed with ARCH 345-01. This course will focus on the roles food and drink played in the social, political, and economic lives of past societies. Food is, of course, necessary for human survival but its procurement, processing, and consumption has become a primary means by which humans define and distinguish themselves and their societies. Thus, the study of food and drink is an exciting avenue for archaeologists to gauge the ways in which ancient societies interacted with their environments, created diverse economic and political systems, and individuals reproduced and also challenged their identities within these societies. Methodological advancements in the field of archaeology have greatly increased our access to the ingredients and contexts of past food and drink; therefore, this seminar's topic also allows students to engage with a wide range of archaeological techniques and datasets to investigate the foodways of past societies.
ARCH 345 Archaeology of Food
Cross-listed with ANTH 345-02. This course will focus on the roles food and drink played in the social, political, and economic lives of past societies. Food is, of course, necessary for human survival but its procurement, processing, and consumption has become a primary means by which humans define and distinguish themselves and their societies. Thus, the study of food and drink is an exciting avenue for archaeologists to gauge the ways in which ancient societies interacted with their environments, created diverse economic and political systems, and individuals reproduced and also challenged their identities within these societies. Methodological advancements in the field of archaeology have greatly increased our access to the ingredients and contexts of past food and drink; therefore, this seminar's topic also allows students to engage with a wide range of archaeological techniques and datasets to investigate the foodways of past societies.
ANTH 400 Senior Colloquium
Offered every fall semester, senior anthropology majors will meet to learn about professional career opportunities in anthropology as well as a write a research paper that incorporates primary sources in anthropological writing and/or original anthropological scholarship involving fieldwork or laboratory research.Prerequisite: Research in Anthropology course.
ARCH 500 Independent Study
Spring 2026
ANTH 110 Archaeology & World Prehistory
Cross-listed with ARCH 110-01.
ARCH 110 Archaeology & World Prehistory
Cross-listed with ANTH 110-01.
ANTH 260 Environmental Archaeology
Cross-listed with ARCH 260-01.
ARCH 260 Environmental Archaeology
Cross-listed with ANTH 260-01.