Spring 2025
Section 4082 of ANTHRO1
Biological Anthropology -- : Feb 10 - May 16 2025
This is a late start section that has no regularly scheduled meetings.
Section 4086 of ANTHRO1
Biological Anthropology -- : Jan 13 - May 14 2025
Section 4344 of ANTHRO1
Biological Anthropology -- : Jan 13 - May 16 2025
This section has no regularly scheduled meetings.
Section 5903 of ANTHRO3
Introduction to Archaeology -- : Jan 15 - May 16 2025
This section will meet in person at the day(s), time(s), and location listed. There will be additional course content delivered asynchronously online.
Section 6674 of ANTHRO4
Ancient Peoples and Society -- : Feb 10 - May 16 2025
This is a late start section that has no regularly scheduled meetings.
Fall 2024
Section 0074 of ANTHRO1
Biological Anthropology -- : Aug 19 - Dec 13 2024
This section has no scheduled meetings.
Section 0078 of ANTHRO1
Biological Anthropology -- : Sep 16 - Dec 13 2024
This is a late start section that has no scheduled meetings.
Section 1267 of ANTHRO19
Forensic Anthropology -- : Aug 19 - Dec 11 2024
Section 2263 of ANTHRO1
Biological Anthropology -- : Aug 20 - Dec 12 2024
Summer 2024
Section 8073 of ANTHRO1
Biological Anthropology -- : Jun 17 - Jul 28 2024
This section has no scheduled meetings.
Section 8105 of ANTHRO1
Biological Anthropology -- : Jun 17 - Jul 28 2024
This section has no scheduled meetings.
Ph.D. 2007 Stanford University
M.A. 2004 Stanford University
B.A. 1999 The Catholic University of America
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
2007-Present Full-time Instructor, Dept. of Behavioral Sciences, SRJC
2005-2006 Instructor: Stanford University, Dept of Anthropological Sciences
2002-2005 Teaching Assistant: Stanford University, Dept. of Anthropological Sciences
ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD AND LABORATORY EXPERIENCE:
2017-Present: Bass Visiting Scholar, The Field Museum of Natural History – Investigation of the FMNH’s Dorsey collection from Ancón, Peru. Investigated osteological and artefactual collections from Ancón.
2015-present: Chavín de Huantar Archaeological Project – On-going strontium isotope (87Sr/86Sr) analysis of ancient and modern fauna, plant, soil, and archaeological human tooth enamel from Chavín de Huantar, Peru. Responsible for project conception/design and implementation, the latter of which includes sample selection, mechanical sampling, laboratory preparation, and dissolution of samples prior to (87Sr/86Sr) column work.
2006-2007: Stanford University - Strontium, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon isotope research of archaeological skeletal materials
2005-2006: Ancon and Lima, Peru - Bioarchaeological and archaeological fieldwork
2004-2005: San Andres Semetebaj, Guatemala - Archaeological fieldwork
2002-2003: Chavin de Huantar, Peru - Archaeological fieldwork
2002: Madison Valley, Montana - Archaeological fieldwork
1999-2000: Conchopata, Peru - Archaeological fieldwork
1997: Thunderbird Archeological Associates, VA - Archaeological fieldwork.
I'm a full-time Anthropology instructor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences. In 2007 I completed my doctorate at Stanford University, where I concentrated on the archaeology and bioarchaeology of the Andes. My major research interests lie in examining the archaeological record, particularly the human skeleton, to investigate processes of colonization and culture contact, as well as human mobility and diet. I am especially interested in the application of isotopic methodology to archaeological questions.
Currently I am involved in two research projects. The first is an invesitgation into the ancient burial practices and inhabitants of the Peruvian coastal town of Ancon. The collections that I have and am currently focusing on date to time periods known as the Middle Horizon and Late Intermediate Period (600AD-1438 AD). I am also involved with the Chavin Archaeological Project, and presently am analyzing faunal, floral, soil, and ancient human strontium isotope data from the site of Chavin de Huantar.
Most of my fieldwork has been conducted in Peru, but I have also participated in excavations in Guatemala, Montana, and the Mid-Atlantic U.S. and have worked with Andean collections in museums here in the U.S. I am thankful that my archaeological work has afforded me the opportunity to travel all over the world. There are tons of opportunities to get involved in archaeological projects here in northern California and elsewhere and I am always more than happy to talk to students about how they can get involved.
In Fall 2013, I taught in London, England as part of Santa Rosa Junior College's Study Abroad Program. It was an absolutely amazing experience, and I encourage all students to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity that the JC has to offer. If you're interested, check out the following link:
https://study-abroad.santarosa.edu/
Prior to moving to California for graduate school, I spent most of my life in New York. If you ever want to talk about archaeology, baseball, pizza, or bagels, my door is always open :)
This is a wonderful time to be part of Anthropology at SRJC. I look forward to sharing in the experience with you.
Andean Archaeology, Bioarchaeology, Isotopic Analyses, Archaeometry, Migration, Imperialism, Paleodietary Reconstruction, Mortuary Analysis, Gender Studies,Museum Studies, Social Complexity
2010-Present. Program Coordinator, Archaeological Institute of America, North Coast Chapter
2010-Present. SRJC Museum Committee member.
2010-Present. SRJC International Studies Committee Member
2009-Present. Faculty Coordinator. SRJC Anthropology Forum
2009-2010. Program Director. The Institute of Andean Studies. http://instituteofandeanstudies.net/index.html
2008. Co-organizer and Chair of symposium titled "Advances in Andean Isotopic Research: Movement and Subsistence through Time." To be held at the Society for American Archaeology's 73rd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada.
Porfessional Memberships: SAA, AIA
PUBLICATIONS
2018. Nicole Slovak, Adina Paytan, John Rick, and Chia-Te Chien. Determining Biologically Available Strontium Isotope Ratios for Chavin de Huantar, Peru. "Journal of Archaeological Sciences: Reports" 19: 411-419.
2011. Nicole M. Slovak and Adina Paytan. Applications of Sr Isotopes in Archaeology in Handbook of Environmental Isotope Geochemistry. Edited by Mark Baskaran, pp 743-768. Springer-Verlag: Berlin.
2011 Dianne Smith and Nicole Slovak (eds). "Transformations: Readings in Evolution, Hominids, and the Environment (Seventh Edition)." Hayden-McNeil: Plymouth.
2009. Nicole M. Slovak and Adina Paytan. Fisherfolk and Farmers: Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Evidence from Middle Horizon Ancón, Peru. "International Journal of Osteoarchaeology." DOI: 10.1002/oa.1128.
2009 Nicole M. Slovak, Adina Paytan, and Bettina Wiegand. Reconstructing Middle Horizon Mobility Patterns on the Coast of Peru through Strontium Isotope Analysis. "Journal of Archaeological Science" 36: 157-165.
2006 Nicole M. Slovak. An Examination of Prehistoric Residence Change in Middle Horizon Peru Using Multiple Isotopic Analyses. "The Society for Archaeological Sciences Bulletin" 29(4): 7-11.
2004 Nicole Slovak. 'Valdivia Figurines' In Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/vald/hd_vald.htm (Oct. 2003)
2004 Nicole Slovak. "Cerro Sechin". In Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/cerr_1/hd_cerr_1.htm (October 2003)
2004 Nicole Slovak. "Cerro Sechin: Stone Sculpture". In Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/cerr_2/hd_cerr_2.htm (October 2003)
PAPERS/POSTERS PRESENTED
2018 Nicole. M. Slovak. Unpacking the Mummy Pack: New Insights into the Field Museum of Natural History’s Collection from Ancón, Peru. Paper presented as part of the Field Museum of Natural History’s A. Watson Armour III Research Seminar Series.
2018 Nicole M. Slovak. Thinking Outside the Bundle: Crafting a new narrative for the Field Museum's Ancón mummies. The 46th Midwestern Conference on Andean and Amazonian Archaeology and Ethnohistory, Chicago.
2018 Nicole M. Slovak and John W. Rick. Who’s Who? Investigating historic burials at Chavín de Huántar, Peru using radiogenic strontium isotope analysis. Paper presented at the Society for Archaeology Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.
2018 Nicole M. Slovak. Rediscovering an Ancient Archaeological Collection from Peru: The Field Museum of Natural History’s Ancón Collection.” Paper presented at the Institute of Andean Studies Annual Meeting, Berkeley CA.
2017 Nicole M. Slovak, Adina Paytan, John Rick, and Chia-Te Chien. Establishing Biologically Available Strontium Isotope Ratios for Chavin de Huantar, Peru. Poster presented at the Institute of Andean Studies Annual Meeting, Berkeley CA..
2015 Nicole M. Slovak. Shaping the Skull, Reshaping Identity: An examination of Cranial Modification at Ancon. Paper presented as part of the Santa Rosa Junior College Arts & Letures Series, Santa Rosa, CA.
2015 Nicole M. Slovak. Cranial Modification and Shifting Identities at Ancon Peru. Paper presented at the Institute of Andean Studies Annual Meeting, Berkeley CA.
2013 Nicole M. Slovak. Changing Dynamics on Peru's Central Coast: An Analysis of Physical and Cultural Variables from Early and Late Middle Horizon Tombs at Ancon, Peru. Paper presented at University College of London's South American Archaeology Seminar, Dec. 7, 2013, London, England.
2008 Fisherfolk and Farmers? Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Evidence from Middle Horizon Ancon, Peru. Paper presented at the Society for American Archaeology Annual Meeting, Vancouver B.C.
2008 Colonization or Cultural Influence on the Coast Peru? Invited paper presented as part of the Archaeological Institute of America's Northern California Chapter's Guest Lecture Series.
2008 The Changing Nature of Wari Influence at Ancon during the Muddle Horizon. Paper presented at the Institute of Andean Studies Annual Meeting, Berkeley CA.
2007 An Investigation into Andean Middle Horizon Mobility using Strontium and Oxygen Isotope Analyses. Paper presented at the Society for American Archaeology Annual Meeting, Austin, TX.
2007 Colonization or Cultural Influence? An Archaeological Case Study from Pre-Colombian Peru. Paper presented at the 2006-2007 Stanford Archaeology Center Workshop Series, Stanford University, CA.
2006 An Examination of Prehistoric Residence Change in Middle Horizon Peru using Multiple Isotopic Analyses. Paper presented at the 2nd Annual Archaeological Sciences Symposium, Tucson AZ.
2006 Matters of Life and Death: An Alternative Approach to Mortuary Analysis. Paper presented at the 2006 Department of Anthropological Sciences Spring Colloquium Series, Stanford University, CA.
2006 Examining Wari Influence on Peru's Central Coast: Isotopic and Cultural Analyses of Middle Horizon Burials at Ancon. Paper presented at the Society for American Archaeology Annual Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
2006 Isotopic and Cultural Analyses of Middle Horizon Burials from Ancon, Peru. Poster presented at the Institute of Andean Studies Annual Meeting, Berkeley,CA.
2018 Santa Rosa Junior College Faculty Fund for Advanced Studies
2017 Bass Fund Visiting Scholarship, The Field Museum of Natural History
2013 Santa Rosa Junior College Faculty Fund for Advanced Studies
2007 Centennial Teaching Assistant Award, Stanford University
2007 The Morrison Institute for Population and Resource Studies Fellowship
2006-2007 The Michelle R. Clayman Institute for Gender Research Graduate Dissertation Fellow
2005-2006 National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant.
2003 Stanford University Latin American Studies Research Grant
2002 Mellon Foundation Summer Fieldwork Grant
2002 Stanford University Latin American Studies Research Grant