Student Research Conference | Presentation Abstracts

Master's Student

Abstract
Montell is the name given by archaeologists to a style of Late Archaic projectile point. This type was manufactured between roughly 2500 and 1350 years before present, and are notable for their distinctive split stem style and eye catching craftsmanship. This proposed study will examine current archaeological understanding of the Montell type, the context in which they were created, the history of the typology, and the sites in which they have been found. I will also discuss the background, context, and current understanding of past human behavior associated with prehistoric peoples that used Montell points. Lastly, I will describe my thesis project focused on understanding the range of morphological and technological variation present in an assemblage of dated Montell points and test whether it can be used to evaluate the typology of undated points. Once a dataset of Montell points that fall within a definitive range of variation is generated, I propose to test both that dataset and the greater dataset of dated and undated Montell points to understand if the variation present within the assemblages are patterned, and if so, whether such patterns can be organized chronologically, geographically, or technologically.

Ph.D. Student

Abstract
This pilot study explores the application of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) in analyzing human bone composition and its correlation with age-at-death. Age-at-Death is one of the major components in the biological profile in forensic anthropology to establish an identification hypothesis. However, there is an ongoing academic discussion surrounding problems in age estimation. This project aims to find a more objective and quantifiable age-at-death estimation method. Therefore, forty-one femoral and forty-one rib bone powder samples were collected from individuals with an even distribution of males and females. The bone powder was analyzed using an FTIR Bruker Alpha II, following established spectral analysis protocols. Key FTIR indices, including Carbonate to Phosphate Ratio (CP), Crystallinity Index (CI), Collagen Content (CC), and Mineral to Matrix Ratio (MM), were calculated using Spectragryph software. Statistical analyses in RStudio revealed significant correlations between BPI and age (p = 0.03) in femoral samples, with additional significant associations in male femoral samples. Female samples combined further showed a significant correlation between age and carbonate to phosphate ratio (p=0.04). Kruskal-Wallis tests confirmed significant relationships between FTIR indices and age groups. Overall, this project showed promising results but calls for a larger sample size with a more diverse sample population.

Undergraduate Student

Abstract
In this presentation, Texas State University undergraduate student Robert Stein will discuss his recently completed internship with Shumla Archaeological Research and Education center. He will cover his participation in lab and field work relating to Shumla’s Hearthstone project. Robert completed graphic databases for rock art figures at multiple sites in the Lower Pecos for the Hearthstone Project, and participated in documentation and survey of Pecos River Style sites.

Master's and Undergraduate Students

Abstract
This semester as a Community Based Research project, we have been collaborating with board members and volunteers of the San Pedro Cemetery located in San Marcos, Tx. The San Pedro Cemetery is recognized to have been established in 1909 by the Texas Historical Society which is also the year of the formation of the first board of members for the cemetery. Evidence found in historical documentation shows a large membership increase around 1915, growing from about 50 members to over 360 members. It is theorized this increase can be tied to the Mexico to San-Antonio migration during the Mexican Revolution. Our main collaborators have been members and volunteers who have relatives buried in the cemetery as well as the artist responsible for the restoration of the Madero, the center point of the cemetery. As we interviewed and collected the stories and histories of the people in and around the cemetery, a map of connectivity surfaces that displays how deep community relations can go. We have chosen to present these stories with a video aid collected from the cemetery. Our goal is to provide a sense of immersion with the connections constructed in this community.

Master's Student

Abstract
This presentation will focus on a heritage management plan for Zilker Nature Preserve created as part of Dr. Carter's Cultural Heritage Management Class. Zilker Nature Preserve is a small extension of Zilker Park that the City of Austin set aside in 1935 as a remnant of the natural landscape that was being converted into planned parkland. Around the same time the Preserve was set aside, the Civilian Conservation Corps, as part of FDR’s New Deal, built many buildings and structures throughout both the park and the preserve. Many of these CCC-built structures remain today and are contributing properties to the Zilker Historic District. These aging structures are at increasing risk from human and natural threats, and the natural landscape that was set aside in the 1930s is rapidly deteriorating. The management plan created in this class focuses on restoring the damaged natural landscape, identifying risks to important sites in the preserve, avenues for mitigating those risks, and involving both the city entity currently managing the preserve and interested community groups as leaders in the preservation of the preserve.

Ph.D. and Master’s Students

Abstract
The Spring Lake site, located in San Marcos, Texas, is a multicomponent site that contains artifacts dating from the Late Pleistocene to the Historic Era. Fluted points and the remains of Ice Age megafauna were discovered in the lake in the late 1970s. Since then, various institutions have conducted archaeological work around and within the lake utilizing excavation, remote sensing, and geoarchaeological approaches to understand the cultural deposits preserved there. In 2023, new archaeological excavations were conducted as part of a field school taught by the Anthropology Department at Texas State University. Using GIS, we are generating a digital map and database of the spatial distribution of all artifacts, features, and cultural strata documented at the site to date. The goal of this project is to develop a means to understand the spatial relationships among the cultural deposits discovered during decades of investigation at the site. Initial spatial analyses inform on the time periods preserved in the upper strata of the northeast area of the site, how they relate to Historic Era materials found in the central and southwest areas of the site, and how the location of activities changed through time around Spring Lake.

Undergraduate Student

Abstract
In the “Iliad”, Achilles is a hero and general born to the immortal Thetis and the king Peleus. His semi-divinity is conveyed in the language of the original Greek, primarily through his epithets and the Greek word, “μῆνιν”, usually translated into English as “anger” or “rage”. However, many English translations of Homer’s work detract from Achilles’s sense of divinity in the “Iliad”, influencing how readers interpret his character. This paper explores how the cultural connotations latent in the original Homeric Greek are transformed into three different English translations by utilizing theoretical approaches from both translation studies and sociolinguistic anthropology.

The etymology and semantics of the language this paper examines establishes the foundation of this inquiry. From there, a comparative analysis of Richmond Lattimore, Robert Fagles, and Emily Wilson’s translations of the “Iliad” further studies the interpretation of Achilles and his character to modern audiences. Translations can only go so far in communicating the cultural meaning behind a text’s language, and while these researchers have done an amazing job in translating a nearly 3,000-year-old story, exploring how the inevitable shortcomings of translation impact the characterization of characters like Achilles deepens our understanding of ancient Greek literature’s reception in the modern day.

Master's Student

Abstract
In west-central Louisiana, cultural resource management research has suggested that indigenous peoples of the Paleoindian (11,500-8000 BCE) up to the late Mississippian (1500-1700 CE) periods solely utilized the land for short-term, resource-procurement visitations. In the Kisatchie National Forest, two archaeological sites, 16RA1758 and 16RA1811, have produced evidence suggesting that localized incidences of extended settlement may have occurred between the Middle Archaic (6000-2000 BCE) through Late Woodland (400-1200 CE) periods. As population size increased over time and people inhabited locations for longer, forager mobility ranges decreased in size and site-use became more intensive. This is indicated by the increase in lithic debitage, diagnostic tools, and local lithic raw material, as well as a shift from curated to expedient lithic technologies. In this study, I propose to detect a change in human behavior through a diachronic analysis of lithic technological organization, raw material quality, and tool production. This analysis will be conducted to gain a better understanding of precontact human behaviors in the Kisatchie National Forest in central Louisiana.

Undergraduate Student

Abstract
Genetic studies of autism suggest an evolutionary history spanning at least thousands of years. In contrast to the longstanding portrayal of autism through a purely disordered framework, modern discourse often puts a focus on a different, more explanatory or possibly adaptive paradigm for divergent neurotypes. Due to it's ubiquity across modern human populations, it is reasonable to assume that persistent atypical neurotypes may have served as part of an evolutionary trade off with cultural or environmental advantages. As with any phenotype, certain neurotypes may been favorable for particular circumstances or roles, but disadvantageous in other areas or circumstances.

The persistence of a neurodiverse population may have designated highly specialized roles, and unique skill sets to the community, functioning as a vehicle for cultural adaptation This article examines autism and broadly diverse neurotypes as a naturally selected for variation within human cognition, as well as the hypothetical evolutionary benefits, cultural contributions, and drawbacks in relation to the Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness (EEA).

Master's Student

Abstract
Montell is the name given by archaeologists to a style of Late Archaic projectile point. This type was manufactured between roughly 2500 and 1350 years before present, and are notable for their distinctive split stem style and eye catching craftsmanship. This proposed study will examine current archaeological understanding of the Montell type, the context in which they were created, the history of the typology, and the sites in which they have been found. I will also discuss the background, context, and current understanding of past human behavior associated with prehistoric peoples that used Montell points. Lastly, I will describe my thesis project focused on understanding the range of morphological and technological variation present in an assemblage of dated Montell points and test whether it can be used to evaluate the typology of undated points. Once a dataset of Montell points that fall within a definitive range of variation is generated, I propose to test both that dataset and the greater dataset of dated and undated Montell points to understand if the variation present within the assemblages are patterned, and if so, whether such patterns can be organized chronologically, geographically, or technologically.

Undergraduate Student

Abstract 
Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) encompasses relationship structures in which all partners mutually agree to engage in multiple romantic or sexual connections. Despite assumptions that monogamy is the ideal model for stable relationships, research suggests that CNM relationships can be satisfying and stable. This study examines the role of rituals in fostering stability and satisfaction in CNM relationships. Rituals such as emotional check-ins, explicit boundary setting, and negotiations serve as mechanisms for reinforcing commitment, managing emotions, and maintaining balance among partners. Drawing from interviews and ethnographic observations, it was indicative that these rituals enhance relationship satisfaction by providing predictability, affirming emotional connections, and reducing jealousy. The study of CNM rituals offers broader implications for understanding relationship dynamics across various structures. This research highlights the significance of ritual in maintaining healthy relationships and calls for further exploration into how structured interpersonal practices contribute to relationship longevity.

Undergraduate Students

Abstract
This paper will discuss an ongoing research project based on ancient Mayan burial practices throughout the Mayan region. This research was conducted by two people and overseen by an assistant professor at Texas State University. This project will end with a total of eight sites analyzed. We aim to draw connections between differing geographical regions of ancient Maya. While this research is still ongoing, we will be focusing on burial goods, sex, position, body modification, burial type, and status, if indicated. We have divided the Mayan region into 5 countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras and chosen one to two sites from each region depending on available resources. This is important as at this time there is no centralized location for information pertaining to Mayan burials, and we hope to begin an open resource database for researchers to add to and utilize. The end of this project will culminate into a completed paper with further conclusions, an excel sheet, or similar database, divided by each country and site, along with a completed map discussing the regions and similarities and differences. At the time of submission the research is incomplete, but is projected to conclude by May of 2025.

Ph.D. Students

Abstracts
We present an inexpensive and effective methodology for the archaeological documentation and clarification of partially eroded relief sculpture covered in lichen. A photogrammetric model of the sculpture is created in Agisoft Metashape, rendered in monochrome, and exported as an .OBJ file. The exported file is then imported into Blender, and virtual photographs of the carved surface are taken under simulated raking light. As an example of this method, we offer our model of an ancient Maya monument, Stela 4, from the archaeological site of Ixkun, Petén, Guatemala. The hieroglyphic inscription on Stela 4 is virtually illegible in person, but this technique permitted nearly the whole text to be read, revealing new and significant data about interpolity relations in the southeastern Maya lowlands at the end of the Late Classic period (AD 600-830). We propose our best interpretation of these data in their historical and cultural context.

Undergraduate Students

Abstract
Immigration is the process of one individual or a group of individuals moving from one country to another. The life of an immigrant explores key stages such as the decision to leave one’s homeland, securing labor-intensive employment, marriage, raising children, influencing culture through future generations, and ultimately, death. Most anthropological issues that influence immigration are political oppression, unstable living conditions, poverty, or the chance of opportunity. By highlighting the experiences of immigrants, past studies contribute to broader anthropological discussions, including common stereotypes that portray immigrants as criminals or threats. Here we show how immigration positively impacts cultural identity and home cultivation for future generation of Mexican Americans. Through ethnographic interviews we gathered oral histories and experiences of family relatives. Through the making of a physical representation, we displayed the life cycle of an immigrant from their previous life in Mexico to their life in the United States. Our results indicate that immigrants are simply humans looking to survive for their personal lives and for the welfare of their families. Cultural diffusion of Mexican culture and assimilation of American culture it exemplifies that immigrants are not threats to society but are contributors to cultural heritage, family values, politics, and social movements.

Undergraduate Student and Mentors

Abstract
The remarkable completeness of the Australopithecus afarensis specimen A.L. 288-1, otherwise known as “Lucy”, has allowed for extensive study of the locomotive repertoire utilized by the species. While it is generally accepted that Lucy walked bipedally, Stern and Susman (1983) argued that it was with a bent-hip/bent-knee gait rather than with a fully extended lower limb like we see in modern humans. Stern and Susman’s locomotor hypothesis was critically analyzed by configuring a modern reconstruction of their Figure 6, which depicts a posterosuperior view of the left os coxae articulated with the sacrum. Using Avizo, surface scans of first-generation casts of Lucy’s left os coxae and sacrum were articulated and aligned behind an image of Figure 6 with a transparent background. From this, three models were created and analyzed for distance of the left sympheseal surface from the midsagittal plane. Because the left sympheseal surface does not approach the midsagittal plane in any of the models, we concluded that it is anatomically impossible for Lucy’s bones to articulate as is depicted in Stern and Susman’s Figure 6. No support for the bent-hip/bent-knee hypothesis of hominin locomotion is found.

Master's Student

Abstract
Forensic investigations of outdoor death scenes present unique challenges due to environmental factors that can obscure or alter biological evidence. This study explores the application of ultraviolet (UV) filter photography as an alternative imaging technique to enhance the documentation of such scenes. Using a donor from the Forensic Anthropology Research Facility at Texas State University, this research examines the efficacy of UV-filtered photography in detecting and analyzing soil stains associated with bodily fluid purge. Standard digital photography will serve as a control, while pixel value analysis in Adobe Photoshop will quantify differences in contrast and visibility between the two imaging methods. This study aims to assess the viability of UV photography in crime scene reconstruction and forensic taphonomy. The findings will contribute to advancing forensic documentation techniques, offering a cost-effective alternative for law enforcement agencies and forensic practitioners.

Undergraduate Student

Abstract
Developed from a larger independent study of Aegean art and iconography, this poster discusses the morphology, stylistics, and potential functions of a zoomorphic vessel from the Early Cycladic II period (2800-2300 BCE). Excavated from a cemetery in Chalandriani, Syros, this hedgehog vase is an excellent starting point for the study of Cycladic art through a cognitive archaeological perspective. Synthesizing theoretical frameworks such as material engagement theory and cognitive ecology, this poster will also serve to evaluate the potential of neuroarchaeological analysis in Cycladic archaeology and art history. This hedgehog vessel will also be contextualized in the greater artistic traditions of the Bronze Age Aegean, with a particular focus on zoomorphic iconography in mortuary contexts, to provide a greater understanding of the vessel and the potential cognitive processes that created it.

Ph.D. Student

Abstract
Through archaeology, K-12 students can acquire both practical and interdisciplinary experiences, which develop their critical thinking skills. When students take part in excavations and digital reconstructions, they develop inquiry-based learning skills while gaining meaningful insights into historical studies. I am currently using Fate Bell Rockshelter as a case study for teaching archaeology because it stands as one of North America's most significant rock art sites and is on public land. The complex rock art at this site enables researchers to examine hunter-gatherers from the region. Also, Fate Bell’s integration into K-12 education enables students to learn about the Indigenous history of Texas.

Undergraduate Student

Abstract
In forensic anthropology, stature estimation is essential for identifying unknown skeletal remains. Programs such as FORDISC 3.1 rely on adult data for references, resulting in often inaccurate stature estimations for subadult populations due to developmental differences. KS: Stature was developed as a tool to address this limitation. It acknowledges different age-specific growth patterns with the goal of increasing accuracy in subadult stature assessments. This study evaluates the effectiveness of KS: Stature compared to FORDISC 3.1 in their subadult stature estimation. The methodology involves acquiring computed tomography (CT) scans of subadult individuals from the New Mexico Decedent Image Database (NMDID) and skeletal remains from the Texas State University (TXST) collection, targeting a total of ten samples of individuals between the ages of 16-25. Using 3D Slicer software, 3D models of long bones are created to be measured alongside the TXST samples. These measurements are then input into both FORDISC 3.1 and KS: Stature to obtain stature estimations, which are subsequently compared to assess accuracy. It is anticipated that KS: Stature will produce more accurate results than FORDISC 3.1 in stature estimation of individuals between 16-25 years old, underscoring the need for tools that consider the unique developmental characteristics of younger populations.

Undergraduate Students

Abstract
Histotaphonomic analysis of human bone from archaeological sites has shown promise for the reconstruction of mortuary histories of past populations. The Kilkenny Union Workhouse cemetery is a formally clandestine, well-documented burial site from nineteenth-century Ireland. The soil in Kilkenny City and the surrounding area is described as well-drained, fine, loamy drift with limestone and silica. This study aims to assess the extent of bioerosion for a subset of individuals (n=79) discovered at the cemetery using the Oxford Histological Index (OHI), one of the most commonly applied methods for quantifying the degree of biotic bioerosion in bone. The average OHI score was 2.4, the lowest OHI score was 0 (20%), the highest score was 5 (2.5%), and the most prevalent score was 3 (31%). This study shows that diagenetic alterations to bone can vary widely within a single cemetery sample. Additionally, while these scores indicate that only small areas of well-preserved bone are visible throughout the cross-section, many histological features, including secondary intact osteons and fragments, are still quantifiable for use in future histological analysis, such as age-at-death estimation.

Master's Student

Abstract
With advancements in 3D scanning and printing technology over the past few years, the process of repatriation can continue to be simplified, with all parties involved throughout the process having the potential to benefit. This research does not propose a new solution to the debates surrounding repatriation or the use of 3D printing in museums. Instead, an additional single case is provided that will contribute to these ongoing discussions about digital replication's role in cultural heritage management. Pieces from a Mayan throne found in Guatemala have been in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), and another is in the hands of a private collection based in Brussels, Belgium. LACMA has already been contacted and is willing to repatriate their piece back to Guatemala, while the Belgians who administer the collection are steadfast in their refusal to give the piece back. Focusing on a primarily Spiritualist perspective in regards to the significance and authenticity of an artifact, the research presented in this paper will document the processes and challenges of using different 3D replication technologies to scan, build a model of, and print the Belgian held artifact to repatriate the artifact back to Guatemala.

Master's Student

Abstract
Transitional periods, specifically the transition of weapons systems during the Late Prehistoric within central Texas, have centered on lithic projectiles and points. Expedient flake tools are transcendental across the spatiotemporal continuum of lithic assemblages, and determining the task or tasks can help determine the function of a site (Pearce and Barbetti 1981; Bamforth 1986, 2002; Barham et al. 2011; Waters et al. 2011). Often, expediency and curation are seen on opposite ends, and only within the last few decades have been examined as a spectrum within archaeological contexts. Expediency does not need to be defined as a fast, unskilled, or a technology with no forethought; expedient technology can be just as tactile as curated systems. From a craft specialist's perspective, experimental bone and woodworking were conducted to create atlatls, bows, and related implements with expedient flake tools. The use-wear was compared microscopically to the Zatopec sites (41HY163) in San Marcos, Texas. The results indicated increased use-wear with hard material during the Toyah Phase, with tool efficiency decreasing with bipolar reduction. In this poster presentation, I will discuss the interpretations and results of the microscopy on the experimental expedient flake tools and how they compare to the Zatopec sites.

Undergraduate and Master’s Students

Abstract
Collagen and bioapatite isotopes demonstrate an individual's dietary patterns, and these differences can provide insight into an individual's place of origin and geographic movements antemortem. This is accomplished by isotopic analysis, correlating nutritional patterns with the corresponding time and region's flora, fauna, and water sources. Isotopic compositions of 13C and 15N, along with bioapatite 13C and 18O levels, are typically sampled from an individual's long bones and tooth enamel. All values besides 18O, have similar isotopic levels when the bones belong to the same person, enabling differentiation between individuals in commingled remains. To distinguish these individuals, thresholds for 13C (1.35%), 15N (0.95%) in collagen, and 13C (1.90%) in bioapatite serve as guidelines. However, in this method limitations exist. Research indicates that isotopic composition near trauma or inflammation, sites can alter 15N levels, potentially complicating isotopic distinction within intrapersonal bones. When distinguishing commingled bones practitioners should use caution when determining the sampling site. Moreover, in cases where mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is shared, distinguishing small, fragmented bones in commingled contexts remains challenging. Utilizing 18O levels in bioapatite has limited diagnostic value due to weak intrapersonal correlations. Traditional analyses often integrate collagen and nitrogen isotopic data with grave goods to infer interpersonal relationships. I anticipate these limitations will be difficult to decipher using isotopic variation analysis in complex cases. Future work should examine the accuracy percentage when bioapatite strontium analysis is used in tandem with this. Establishing stronger correlations in structures would aid the study when other isotopic variations are affected.

Master's Student

Abstract
This study explores what material culture reveals about the socioeconomic status of soldiers in the Ballajá neighborhood during the late 18th and 19th centuries. To achieve this, the research revisits past archaeological reports from El Castillo San Felipe del Morro and the Cuartel de Ballajá, both located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Preliminary findings suggest that soldiers participated in local markets, acquiring ceramics and other imported goods beyond standard military provisions. This challenges the idea that soldiers were isolated in the population. By further analyzing artifactual and archival sources, this study seeks to deepen our understanding of military life in colonial Puerto Rico under the Spanish crown and the soldiers’ role within the broader social and economic networks of San Juan.

Master's Student

Abstract
Utilizing professional opinions, national laws, and international treaties, this paper explores the ethical and legal obligations regarding an orphaned collection temporarily housed at the Center for Archaeological Studies. The collection was donated to Texas State University under the advisement of Dr. Garber in 1994. Now, in 2025, we must ask not what we need to do with the collection but what we ought to do.

Ph.D. Student

Abstract
This study explores the sociotechnical imaginaries of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) in the United States and Japan, examining how each country's history, political landscape, and societal perceptions shape their reproductive choices and technology integration into reproductive health policies. In the United States, ART is influenced by a low-quality healthcare system, political polarization, economic disparities, religious beliefs, and minimal regulatory oversight, leading to ethical concerns, public mistrust, and unequal access. Conversely, Japan, confronting demographic challenges such as low fertility rates and an aging population, has implemented state-driven policies, including subsidies for ART, to encourage childbirth. In the U.S., the use of ART has grown significantly since 1996, with religious beliefs, education, and income influencing approval. ART is more common among single or lesbian couples in the U.S., while in Japan, it is largely used by married women over 40 due to societal norms and limited acceptance of same-sex marriage. Japan's policies emphasize lineage preservation, reinforcing traditional values. This comparative analysis highlights the role of sociotechnical imaginaries in shaping ART acceptance and emphasizes the need for intercultural collaboration to address reproductive technology complexities. Despite greater public support for ART in Japan, differing social, political, and religious contexts lead to contrasting responses between the two nations.

Master's Student

Abstract 
Previous archaeological investigations at Spring Lake, an artificial lake comprised of the headwaters of the San Marcos River on the Texas State University campus, have revealed evidence of human occupation spanning the Late Pleistocene to Historic periods. Past geoarchaeological work undertaken to understand the area’s formational history has concentrated on the immediate vicinity of the spring outlets and the northeastern portion of the site remains understudied. This presentation discusses the findings of analyses conducted on sediment cores extracted from the headwaters locality and the northeast portion of the site. The characteristics of sediments are contrasted between the two localities and the results are contextualized alongside previous research.

Ph.D. Student

Abstract
On March 1st, 2025, The White House issued an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States for the first time in the country’s history, citing national unity and a shared national culture among the desired outcomes. Prior to this action, Pew Research Center (2024) released a global survey report asserting that a common language and shared customs and traditions are perceived as integral to national identity. Although this does not necessarily exclude multilingualism, a monolingual bias would indicate otherwise. The purpose of this study is to identify American attitudes toward assimilationist and multiculturalist ideologies in relation to national identity, targeting perceptions of cultural and linguistic diversity in the American context. Analyses of responses to an online questionnaire suggest that San Marcos residents disagree that shared language and customs are important to national identity, contrary to the global average. This finding correlates with positive attitudes toward sustaining and promoting American multilingualism as well as disagreement with the assertion that knowing English is necessary to be considered American. Uncovering these connections and their roots is the first step in mitigating opportunities for language prejudice in multilingual contexts amidst a sustained global hegemonic presence of the English language.

Master's Student

Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly integrating into everyday life, shaping industries, economies, and societal expectations. This research explores the role of AI philosophies among Central Texas entrepreneurs, investigating how narratives surrounding AI shape their goals, ambitions, and conceptions for the future. To answer this question, I conducted interviews with seven entrepreneurs engaged in AI development and attended three AI-focused events in Austin. Using inductive analysis, I identified recurring themes in how these individuals conceptualize the AI future. A key finding is the pervasive influence of TESCREAL—an ideological framework encompassing transhumanism, extropianism, singularitarianism, cosmism, rationalism, effective altruism, and longtermism. While rarely framed explicitly in terms of eugenics, these philosophies share foundational assumptions with eugenic thought. Entrepreneurs, often unconsciously, adopt this language when discussing AI’s potential. AI is seen as inevitable, yet technological progress is never neutral; it is deeply embedded in cultural and philosophical frameworks that guide its application. This study highlights the power of AI narratives in shaping technological futures.

Ph.D. Student

Abstract
This presentation utilizes historical documents, archaeological findings, and ethnohistories to explore the transformation of the Apache people and their relation to the Spanish mustang, all framed within lenses of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. The introduction of the Spanish mustang into the Americas aided in the ethnogenesis of the Plains Horse Cultures, including that of the ancestral Apache peoples, allowing for changes in their subsistence, mobility and warfare strategies. From the earliest introduction of the horse and their resistance against Spanish colonials (15/16th centuries) to the mastery of mounted warfare and resistance against American forces (20th century), this narrative traces the Apache’s adaptations to their new power and the challenges they faced in the face of devastating colonization. This presentation also highlights the enduring legacy of the Mustang in Apache rock art, reflecting the horse as both a spiritual and practical companion to have on the Southern Plains. By synthesizing these different sources, we gain a deeper understanding of the Apache people’s resilience, adaptability, and the continued importance of the Mustang in their identity. This exploration offers a multifaceted perspective on how the Mustang helped shape the Apache Hero’s Journey, cementing its place in their collective memory and culture.

Master's and Undergraduate Students

Abstract
Nestled within San Marcos is the San Pedro Cemetery, the final resting place of many relatives of the Mexican American families that live in San Marcos. Join us in dialogue as we discuss what this cemetery means to the managing board, the descendants, and the community that supports the San Pedro Cemetery. This oral history project is one born of the community research project class, ANTH 5336, in which graduate and undergraduate students collectively work with the San Pedro Cemetery to uplift their work in preserving the legacy of Mexican Americans in San Marcos, TX. Our group's primary research questions are: what is the relationship between the San Pedro Cemetery and the San Marcos community, how critical of a role did the San Pedro Cemetery play in the Mexican American community of San Marcos, and how integrated with the San Marcos community is the Cemetery?

Ph.D. Student

Abstract
The Dr. Eli T. Merriman Cabin stands near downtown San Marcos as an example of architecture and lifeways dating to the Mexican American War and the founding of San Marcos. It is recognized by the Texas Historical Commission with a historical marker plaque and is on public display, accessible for tours. But this cabin has been twice moved from its original context, modified, restored, and staged with artifacts so that it now only partially exemplifies central Texas of the late 1800s. In fact, it seems that Dr. Merriman lived in San Marcos for a short time after its founding and probably did not build or even occupy this cabin. So why is it named after him, and why do the histories call it his? This presentation interrogates this piece of local history and makes some suggestions about the formation of narrative in public histories.

Master's Student

Abstract 
This presentation will consist of a synthesis of iconographic data at El Chal. In particular, there is a notable chronological irregularity within the inscriptions – a celebration of a peculiar date not shared elsewhere in the Maya world (Beliaev & Leon, 2019). In addition to this, I will present what I postulate to be the El Chal Emblem Glyph, something currently not solidly identified within the record, as well as evaluate the remaining iconographic content of the archaeological site. A relatively uncommon phrasing "he sets the spears in order" is also present in the monumental inscriptions, and while its meaning is contested elsewhere, I believe it has a firm meaning here.

Time permitting, I will discuss the socio-political background of the site, my attempted methods of photogrammetric modeling – which have had limited success due to the lamentable preservation of the stelae, as well as propose a method of preservation that has borne fruit at Piedras Negras.

Master's Student

Abstract
Ghosts function in numerous ways in storytelling traditions that reach far beyond a simple scare. One of the most important elements to understanding ghosts, their functionality, and their narratives is by exploring the ways they communicate. In their liminality, ghosts use a variety of methods to navigate their space and narrate their stories which are trauma based and, generally, punitive. There are three main modes of communication ghosts use progressively, and with varying degrees of intrusiveness: non-verbal gestures, visibility, and vessels. In these ways, ghosts regain agency, individuality, and they can “provoke a response that then ultimately leads to their absolution and, possibly, salvation” (Hildebrandt 18). Without necrolinguisitcs, the latent narratives of ghosts, how they function, and their importance might be overlooked. This paper will explore the structure of necrolinguistics.

Ph.D. Student

Abstract
Archaeological research in Belize spans more than a century, helping to create academic interest on the varying subregions within, refocusing Belize’s prehistory as being central to the development of the ancient Maya civilization, and building careers of many esteemed scholars in the process. Recent shifts in scholarship have placed academic attention on the importance of community/collaborative archaeological inclusion with local/indigenous populations. Belize hosts several archaeological projects each year, featuring increasing initiatives that focus on community engagement and education. This paper examines the author’s current dissertation research to academically document the impact participating on a project has on a young Belizean including their sense of cultural/national identity and cultural heritage, and how these efforts contribute to decolonizing archaeological research in Belize.