About My WorkI am an anthropological archaeologist whose work examines the long-term, entangled relationships between people, landscapes, and colonial histories in Southeast Asia. My research challenges long-held assumptions in Philippine archaeology, particularly regarding the origins and development of the iconic Ifugao Rice Terraces in the northern Philippines.
I earned my PhD in anthropology from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in 2010. My dissertation, funded by the US National Science Foundation and the Luce Foundation/ACLS, provided evidence that the Ifugao rice terraces are not 2,000 years old as previously believed, but are more recent responses to colonial pressures—specifically, the Spanish incursion into the northern Philippine highlands. This finding reshapes our understanding of lowland-highland relations in the archipelago and emphasizes that these divisions were shaped not by ecological differences but by colonial and historical processes.
Since then, my work has expanded, but Ifugao remains central. Through the Ifugao Archaeological Project (IAP), we continue to explore Indigenous strategies of adaptation, resistance, and innovation. This community-based initiative, developed in partnership with the Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement (SITMo), centers on the perspectives of local stakeholders and promotes heritage conservation through education, collaboration, and open-access archaeology. Community members actively participate in excavations, and students from nearby schools visit sites to learn about archaeology and their own histories. These interactions help reframe archaeology as a tool for empowerment rather than extraction.
Expanding ResearchIn recent years, I’ve launched new comparative projects that explore similar themes of colonialism, climate, and Indigenous resilience:
Public ScholarshipI believe that scholarship should be accessible and relevant beyond the academy. I write a regular column called Time Trowel, where I translate archaeological insights into public essays that touch on everything from food and disaster recovery to museums, education, and national identity. These essays are part of an effort to make archaeology a platform for reflection, dialogue, and action—especially in times of uncertainty.
Methodological ApproachMy research integrates archaeological excavation, GIS-based spatial analysis, ethnohistory, and community collaboration. Across all projects, I prioritize engaged, ethical research practices and emphasize Indigenous knowledge systems and the lived experiences of local communities. My work contributes to ongoing conversations about intensification, self-organization, and resilience—not as abstract theories but as grounded, lived realities shaped by history and environment.
I earned my PhD in anthropology from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in 2010. My dissertation, funded by the US National Science Foundation and the Luce Foundation/ACLS, provided evidence that the Ifugao rice terraces are not 2,000 years old as previously believed, but are more recent responses to colonial pressures—specifically, the Spanish incursion into the northern Philippine highlands. This finding reshapes our understanding of lowland-highland relations in the archipelago and emphasizes that these divisions were shaped not by ecological differences but by colonial and historical processes.
Since then, my work has expanded, but Ifugao remains central. Through the Ifugao Archaeological Project (IAP), we continue to explore Indigenous strategies of adaptation, resistance, and innovation. This community-based initiative, developed in partnership with the Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement (SITMo), centers on the perspectives of local stakeholders and promotes heritage conservation through education, collaboration, and open-access archaeology. Community members actively participate in excavations, and students from nearby schools visit sites to learn about archaeology and their own histories. These interactions help reframe archaeology as a tool for empowerment rather than extraction.
Expanding ResearchIn recent years, I’ve launched new comparative projects that explore similar themes of colonialism, climate, and Indigenous resilience:
- Bicol Archaeological Project – Based in the southern Luzon lowlands, this initiative compares coastal and lowland responses to colonial pressures with those seen in Ifugao. It also foregrounds the region’s deep maritime history and its role in global exchange networks.
- Taiwan Indigenous Landscape and History Project – In partnership with scholars from National Taiwan University, National Chengchi University, and Tayal communities, this project investigates Indigenous landscape use, mobility, and memory in Taiwan’s uplands.
- Morocco Project (launching phase) – This comparative project explores Iberian colonial entanglements beyond Asia and investigates cross-regional connections across the Early Modern world.
Public ScholarshipI believe that scholarship should be accessible and relevant beyond the academy. I write a regular column called Time Trowel, where I translate archaeological insights into public essays that touch on everything from food and disaster recovery to museums, education, and national identity. These essays are part of an effort to make archaeology a platform for reflection, dialogue, and action—especially in times of uncertainty.
Methodological ApproachMy research integrates archaeological excavation, GIS-based spatial analysis, ethnohistory, and community collaboration. Across all projects, I prioritize engaged, ethical research practices and emphasize Indigenous knowledge systems and the lived experiences of local communities. My work contributes to ongoing conversations about intensification, self-organization, and resilience—not as abstract theories but as grounded, lived realities shaped by history and environment.
Please click here to view my full CV.
