In this episode of The Great Plains Archaeology Podcast, Carlton sits down with Dave Williams to discuss the intellectual and professional journey that brought him from Mesoamerican archaeology in Oaxaca, Mexico, back to working across the Central Great Plains. Rather than focusing on institutional roles, this conversation centers on how archaeological training, regional perspective, and lived field experience shape how archaeologists understand place and the past.

Transcripts
For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/great-plains-archaeology/35

Links

• The Archaeology of the North American Great Plains by Douglas B. Bamforth (2021)
• Archaeology on the Great Plains Edited by W. Raymond Wood (1998)
• Carlton's KU Anthropology Faculty Bio

Contact

• Instagram: @‌pawnee_archaeologist
• Email: greatplainsarchpodcast@gmail.com

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In this episode, the hosts discuss the latest U.S. News & World Report university rankings and question their relevance to archaeology and cultural resource management (CRM). They argue that Ivy League prestige and rankings have little to no impact on hiring or success in archaeology, emphasizing that program quality, practical skills, and experience matter far more than a school’s name. The panel shares examples where Ivy League graduates were not stronger candidates and notes that perceived academic “elite” advantages are often statistical noise or social bias. Overall, the episode encourages students and parents to focus on strong, field-relevant programs rather than chasing rankings or prestige.

For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/crmarchpodcast/325

• U.S. News & World Report: Best Colleges

Bill White: Succinct Research

Doug Rocks-MacQueen: Doug’s Archaeology

Chris Webster: DIGTECH LLC

Andrew Kinkella

• Kinkella Teaches Archaeology (Youtube)
• Blog: Kinkella Teaches Archaeology

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In this episode, host Stephanie Rice shares information about the origins of Ancient Egyptian kingship during the Predynastic period.

Discover the real archaeological evidence of two different rulers known as King Scorpion that inspired the Scorpion King from The Mummy franchise. But unlike the cinematic portrayal, the real kings didn't amass and sustain their power through military conquest.

Explore the Tomb of Scorpion I at Abydos which was filled with imported wine, lapis lazuli, and the first evidence of writing in Egypt. Learn about the ceremonial Scorpion Macehead that depicts Scorpion II planting crops.

Together, their stories reveal that Egypt’s first kings built their power through prosperity, order, and the sacred duty to sustain life not through warfare.

For transcripts of this episode head over to: https://archpodnet.com/tpm/30

• Bard, Kathryn A. "Political Economies of Predynastic Egypt and the Formation of the Early State." Journal of Archaeological Research, Vol. 25, No. 1, March 2017.
• Dodson, Aidan. "The First Dynasty." In The First Pharaohs: Their Lives and Afterlives. American University in Cairo Press, 2021.
• Hendrickx, Stan and Renée Friedman. "Gebel Tjauti Rock Inscription 1 and the Relationship between Abydos and Hierakonpolis during the early Naqada III Period." Göttinger Miszellen (GM) 196, 2003.
• Leeman, Diane. Abydos Tomb U-j of Predynastic Egypt. Compiled 2007, Revised 2018.
• Stevenson, Alice. "The Egyptian Predynastic and State Formation." Journal of Archaeological Research, Vol. 24, 2016.
• Teeter, Emily, ed. Before the Pyramids: The Origins of Egyptian Civilization. Oriental Institute Museum Publications 33, 2011.
• Wilkinson, Toby A. H. "What a King Is This: Narmer and the Concept of the Ruler." The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, Vol. 86, 2000.

• See photos related to episode topics on Instagram
• Loving the macabre lore? Treat your host to a coffee!
• Website | The Scorpion Macehead at the Ashmolean Museum
• Website | Information about the Narmer Palette from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

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