Ms. Harley A. Erickson

Areas of Specialization and interest

New England historical archaeology; osteoarchaeology/forensic anthropology; collections management and curation; material culture and household archaeology; pottery production in early New England; museum studies; cultural resources management; and historic preservation.

Education              

Harvard University Extension School

Assorted  Museum Studies Courses, 1999-2001

Completed courses include:

- Collections and Curation

- Preservation and Care of Collections

- Introduction to Museology

Boston University

M.A.  Archaeological Heritage Management, 1996

Concentration in historical archaeology & osteoarchaeology

B.A. Archaeology;  B.A. Classical Civilization (cum laude), 1990

I have also studied osteology and forensic anthropology through various courses at the

University of Massachusetts, Boston; Mercyhurst College, Erie, PA; and The Armed

Forces Institute of Pathology, Bethesda, MD, (all 1994-1996).

 Experience

Self-employed, 1996-present

Provide osteological assessment and complete analysis of human remains in both archaeological and forensic settings, and other related work as needed, such as body exhumation. Have consulted for museums, graveyard conservators, lawyers, state agencies, and archaeological consulting firms.

Stonington Historical Society/Old Lighthouse Museum, Stonington, CT

Collections Manager/Curator, August 2010-June 2011.

Worked first two months as Assistant Museum Manager and then was promoted to new Collections Manager/Curator position. Duties included the care and management of collections, helping to develop a collections management policy, serving as museum registrar, developing position descriptions for volunteers and interns, day-to-day running of the Old Lighthouse Museum, developing exhibits, museum correspondence, researching objects, and training staff members.

Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, Mashantucket, CT

Exhibit Coordinator & Researcher, September 2008-present.

Worked on the exhibit “Pequot Lives in the Lost Century.”

Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA           

Curatorial Assistant, Collections Department, July 2001-May 2004.

Responsible for the identification, cataloging, inventorying, care and handling of archaeological and ethnological objects. These include a wide variety of lithics from U.S. sites, prehistoric ceramics, and South American pottery. Work includes digital photography of objects, movement of objects for research, assisting and supervising visiting researchers and work-study students, maintaining object records in database, reviewing object documentation, and assisting conservation, repatriation, and exhibit departments with various projects.

Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Museum Osteologist, May 1999-June 2001.

Responsible for complete analysis, inventorying, and curation of human skeletal remains subject to repatriation under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act two-year project.

Daily data entry and database usage, report generation, and responsibility for proper storage and care of osteological collections.

Massachusetts Historical Commission, Boston, MA

Curatorial Associate in State Archaeology Lab and Commonwealth Museum, December

1997-May 1999.

One of four archaeologists who researched, developed, designed, and curated the large Commonwealth Museum exhibit (June 1999 - present): “Archaeology of the Central Artery Project: Highway to the Past” Also designed traveling and temporary archaeological exhibits based on Central Artery project artifacts, was responsible for exhibit brochure design and text writing, drawing of archaeological illustrations for exhibits, curation of artifacts in MHC collections, helping to develop collections management guidelines,  programming and design of library database, and analysis of human skeletal remains as needed. Other duties included labwork (cleaning, cataloging, re-bagging, identification, etc. of both prehistoric and historic artifacts) and archival research. *In 2002, the “Highway to the Past” exhibit was given an Award of Excellence by the Society for Historical Archaeology, for excellence in presenting archaeology to the public.

 Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology, Andover, MA

Part-time researcher and Osteological Consultant, May 1996-August 1996.

Osteological analysis of Native American human remains from sites in Georgia and Maine (for NAGPRA compliance). Included compiling osteometric data, interpretation of the remains, background research, and final report preparation.

Boston Historic Burying Grounds Initiative

Part-time Archaeological Researcher, January 1995-August 1995

Developed collections management plan for historic gravestone fragments collection, which

was later published and is currently in use by organizations throughout the United States. Conducted archival research, and created databases for historic cemetery information.

 University of Massachusetts (Boston) Physical Anthropology Laboratory

Principal Forensic Analyst, October 1993-September 1994

Analyzed and interpreted human skeletal remains.

Office of Public Archaeology, Boston University

Part-time Lab Technician; temporary Secretary/Receptionist, December 1988-June 1989

Laboratory work with artifacts from historic and prehistoric New England sites, including

object identification, washing and sorting, cataloging, cross-mending, and clerical work.

Archaeological Fieldwork

November-December 2001

Field excavator, volunteering part-time. Also assisting in laboratory processing of historic artifacts and analysis of redware ceramics assemblage.

Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Boston, MA

Member of forensic field recovery team, September 1996-1999

Recovery, archaeological excavation, analysis, and interpretation of human remains from outdoor field (often buried) settings. Responsible for meticulous recovery of remains using standardized archaeological field methods, and supervision and direction of recovery crew personnel. Duties also include case background research, skeletal analysis, and creation of profiles of the deceased for law enforcement agencies.

Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc., Pawtucket, RI

April 1997, Providence Place Project

Archaeological field technician.

Mercyhurst College and Archaeological Institute, Erie, PA

“Field and Laboratory Methods in the Location, Recovery, and Analysis of Human Remains from an Outdoor Setting,” Intensive six-day field archaeology course, May 20-25, 1996.

Spencer Peirce Little House , Newbury, Ma

Summer 1995, occasional volunteering on weekends

Archaeological fieldwork.

Spencer Peirce Little House Archaeological Field School

Sponsored by Boston University, Summer 1989

Archaeological fieldwork, surveying, drawing, and laboratory work.

Additional Employment

Program Coordinator, June 1992-March 1997

Duties included managing day-to-day operations of the Industry Studies Program, word processing/technical typing, computer database creation and management, managing working paper series, serving as Editorial Assistant for the RAND Journal, supervising student employees, maintaining budgets, and coordinating seminars and conferences.

Boston University Department of Astronomy

Librarian and Staff Assistant, May 1990-June 1992

Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the astronomy library, including the supervision of student workers, ordering of books, and administrative duties as assigned by faculty members.

Professional Memberships

· Society for Historical Archaeology

· Council for Northeast Historical Archaeology

· Association for the Study of Connecticut History

· Connecticut Archaeological Society

Publications and Current Research Projects

Manuscript in Progress: “The Pottery Down the Old Post Road: Archaeological Evidence of the Redware Pottery of Abraham Hews I, Weston, Massachusetts.”

Have created an archaeological research website dedicated to disseminating information on early New England redware pottery and potteries: www.neredware.com.

Also currently researching the production of redware at several 18th and 19th century New England pottery manufacturing sites, studying of kiln furniture and kilns, and analyzing redware from various Massachusetts household sites.

1996            “Historic Gravestone Fragments: A Collections Management Plan,”                         Northeast Historical Archaeology 24: 9-18.