Anthropological Studies Center, Sonoma State University

05/07/2026

This spring, ASC staff and UCLA professor, Dr. Monica Smith, along with graduate students from SSU, CSU Chico, and UCLA are embarking on an archaeological investigation of China Gardens. The site is a neighborhood of North Bloomfield, a Gold Rush town located at Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park. Three generations operated the gardens, which fed the town, from the 1860s until 1935, as well as a store stocked with Chinese goods and various gold claims. California State Parks asked ASC to investigate the area for planning purposes and design a new interpretation honoring this lesser-known chapter of our past.

04/23/2026

Today is Giving Day! -

Support ASC in protecting cultural heritage and providing hands-on training for students in cultural resource and heritage management.

04/16/2026

Giving Day is April 23! -

At the Anthropological Studies Center (ASC), your gift helps us protect cultural heritage, support NAGPRA and tribal collaboration, and provide hands-on training for students in cultural resource and heritage management. Every contribution directly supports the work that makes the ASC's mission poss...

02/18/2026

The Anthropological Studies Center, together with archaeologists Adrian and Mary Praetzellis, received the Daniel G. Roberts Award for Excellence in Public Historical Archaeology, recognizing their enduring leadership in public interpretation, community collaboration, and ethical cultural resource management. In January, Dana Shew, ASC's Interim Director, and Adrian Praetzellis, ASC's past Director, traveled to Detroit, Michigan, to receive the honor at this year's Society for Historical Archaeology conference.

11/20/2025

ASC archaeologist Mike Stoyka recently traveled to the remote wilds of Alaska for fieldwork. Check out this short overview of his expedition.

11/05/2025

Finding History Day in Santa Rosa!

This past Saturday, November 1, the Anthropological Studies Center and Cultural Heritage and Resources Management (CHRM) program at Sonoma State University were proudly represented at Finding History Day at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Hall.

Archaeologists Sam Dollinger, Josie Miller, and CHRM graduate students Manya Scheiman, Millie Abraha, Megan Bosch, and Sally Kelly connected with local history enthusiasts and shared insights into the fascinating world of archaeology and cultural resource management. They also met with potential students excited to learn more about the CHRM program at SSU!

It was a fantastic day of community engagement, history, and inspiration — celebrating our shared past and the future of those who study it.

10/30/2025

ASC Open House & Pizza Party Recap! 🍕✨

We had a fantastic turnout at our October 17th Open House! Current and prospective Anthropology students came together for an afternoon of conversation, community, and (of course) plenty of pizza. 💬 Special thanks to Mike Konzak for his fascinating talk on how technology connects with archaeology. Guests mingled, laughed, and got creative at our DIY mini pumpkin centerpiece table, making the space festive and fun. A huge thank-you to everyone who came out — your energy and curiosity made the afternoon such a success! We hope to see more of you throughout the year!🧡

10/29/2025

Finding History Day is right around the corner! Come by our table at the Veterans Memorial Building this Saturday.

Come check us out at the free, fun, public event and Find History on November 1, 2025.sonomacountyhistory.org/anthropology.sonoma.edu/master-science

10/16/2025

For five days in September, a crew from the ASC surveyed within the burn scar of the 2021 Dixie Fire in Lassen Volcanic National Park. The purpose of the survey was to assess the impact of the fire on cultural resources within the project area. The survey covered nearly 800 acres of burned woodland, recording new sites and updating the condition of known sites.

09/17/2025

Spread the word!

Open Position: Assistant or Associate Professor of Anthropology and Director of Anthropological Studies Center

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