Year of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Name

Anthropology

Department or School/College

Department of Anthropology

Committee Chair

Anna M. Prentiss

Commitee Members

Kelly Dixon, Gregory R. Campbell, Douglas Macdonald, Eric Zimmer, Sharyn Jones

Keywords

anthropology, collections management, Garnet Ghost Town, Historical Archaeology, methodologies, research methods

Abstract

This is a proposal for the Spring 2024 graduation of Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology dissertation completion at the University of Montana. The dissertation work being submitted focuses on developing new and innovative cultural resource management methodologies for practical use by federal archaeologists through six archaeological research essays on the Garnet Ghost Town of Garnet, Montana. The goal of this archaeological investigation is to seek or solve, or at least significantly impact discussions on developing an explanation or understanding of the diversity of identities at Garnet while also developing new innovative technologies with recommendations for federal policy to be utilized by federal archaeologists in the United States and globally. These innovative solutions for archaeological curation issues for federally mandated archaeological collections allows opportunities for researchers to explore the unknown or forgotten histories linked with federally housed artifacts. Exploring these artifacts through the methodologies developed in this dissertation work, the intersectionality and social hierarchies associated with these previously unknown identities is revealed and studied. Quantifying and adding qualitative historical accounts, the material wealth based social inequalities exhibited within historical sales ledgers and material culture from Garnet will be researched. Probing the implications of morality, geographic isolation, and union organized work opportunities on an at-risk archaeological site and historically registered landscape; understandings of an abandoned mining community in the Western United States will be achieved through collaboration with the contemporary community that exists today. This research provides opportunity for new interpretation and inclusivity while creating theoretical solutions to reconnect the Indigenous, African American, and Chinese descendants of the Garnet Community to the federally owned, public lands landscape. This research provides research and management methodologies for federal archaologists. By having examples of cohesion, the unity of the community of Garnet is revealed.

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© Copyright 2024 Andrea Jean Shiverdecker