My name is Sam Shortle. As a senior this past year I opted for a full course load and lots of research projects. One of these research projects turned into a travel research grant from the University President’s Office. As an archaeology and anthropology student specializing in Mesoamerica, the travel grant allowed me to go to Mexico to perform research. My research objectives were to use computer imaging methodologies to generate three dimensional models of artifacts and to use the models to analyze artifact dimensions. The resulting data can be used to answer questions about craft production and trade in central Mexico around 2,000 years ago.
Aside from the research objectives, I also went to Mexico with the goals of improving my Spanish, meeting Mexican archaeologist, and doing some informal ethnography. Learning Spanish and meeting Mexican archaeologists are crucial steps in my academic career as I plan on working in Mexico in the future. It is also important to find interesting projects to work on. Making contacts with established investigators is the best way to find projects and people to work with. Thus this trip was far more than a research travel grant but also a chance to build professional skills and relationships.
I am primarily interested in studying trade and the economy in Mesoamerica. Looking at the production, distribution, and use of different artifacts provides data that can be used to study what sorts of economic systems and relationships existed in the past. This type of research is very exciting and can provide great insight about the human experience. Working on projects that develop my skills as an analyst is a great experience and an essential step toward a professional career.
I would like to thank the President’s Office and the College of the Liberal Arts for this opportunity. I would also encourage all liberal arts students to get into the field and get experience before graduation. All it takes is a little extra effort.