Aaron Comstock, PhD, RPA
Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Director, IUE Archaeology Research Center
Tom Raper Hall 106
Email: aarocoms@iu.edu
Phone: 765-973-8403
Education
- Ph.D., Anthropology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2017
- M.A. Anthropology, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, 2011
- B.A., Anthropology, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, New York, 2008
Current Teaching Interests
- Introductory courses in: Archaeology/World Prehistory, Biological Anthropology, and Cultural Anthropology
- Midwest Archaeology
- Archaeological Field and Laboratory Methods
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Mapping
- Experiential archaeology at the IU East Archaeology Research Center
- Summer-term Archaeological Field Schools – Contact me if you are interested!
Current Research Interests
- The transition to maize agriculture and village life among the native inhabitants of the Middle Ohio River Valley beginning around AD 1000.
- Cultural adaptations to climate change among past populations. Particularly the relationship between climate stress and population displacement, and how these patterns can help us better understand responses to contemporary climate change.
- Experiential archaeology – providing students hands-on experience with archaeological investigations as well as prehistoric technology.
- Aaron is also developing local projects focused on better understanding the prehistory and early history of the Whitewater River Valleys. Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in collaborating!
Recent Publications
- Cook, Robert A. and Aaron R. Comstock (editors). Following the Mississippian Spread: Using Biological and Archaeological Evidence to Measure Migration and Climate Change (Volume forthcoming in Springer Press).
- Comstock, Aaron and Robert Cook. 2018. Climate Change and Migration along a Mississippian Periphery: A Fort Ancient Example. American Antiquity 83(1):91-109.
Selected Previous Employment Positions
- Lecturer, Ohio State University – Newark (2019-2020)
- Postdoctoral Researcher, Ohio State University (2017-2019)