2014 IN-RESIDENCE: ARCHAEOLOGISTS JOE HARL + ROBIN MACHIRAN

Laumeier's 2014 In-Residence Program featured Archaeologists Joe Harl and Robin Machiran of the Archaeological Research Center of St. Louis. Harl and Machiran were invited in response to, and as a part of, Laumeier's Mound City exhibition exploring traces of native culture in our contemporary world and the mound culture that existed here one thousand years ago. Harl and Machiran contributed an essay to the Mound City exhibition publication about their research on the numerous theories regarding the origin of the Mississippian peoples. Harl and Machiran literally explored the land at Laumeier and investigated the Park through their professional practice by way of a lecture, an artifact identification day and a community artwork based on historical research on native tribes in our area.

BIOGRAPHIES

Joe Harl has been actively excavating local and regional histories in the Southwest Ceremonial Complex for more than thirty years. His work investigates the relationships between contemporary living conditions and important historical figures and events. Through collaborative site surveys and educational programs, Harl endeavors to promote a community’s place within local, state and national historical landscapes, and to increase the awareness of shared histories. His archaeological research centers on the developments of Late Woodland and Mississippian lifestyles and cultural practices in present-day Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and Tennessee. Harl is Vice President of the Archaeological Research Center of St. Louis and has served as principal investigator of master plans for the management of archaeological resources within St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County. He holds his M.A. in Anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis and his B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Robin Machiran is a St. Louis-based anthropologist, art historian and educator who specializes in Mississippian cultures and indigenous artifacts of what is known as the American Bottom region of North America. As a founding member of the Archaeological Research Center of St. Louis, she conducts field investigations, prehistoric and historic archival research, artifact analyses and architectural surveys of past and present landscapes to help communities better understand the natural and built environments with which they interact. In 2003, Machiran was awarded an Illinois Association for the Advancement of Archaeology grant to conduct field work with volunteers and community groups in East St. Louis and Cahokia. Projects include Cahokia Mound 34, Cahokia West Palisade, Sugarloaf Mound, East St. Louis Mound Group and the Shilo Park Project. She holds her B.A. in Anthropology and her M.A. in History from the University of Missouri­-St. Louis.