Biography

Dr. Thomas Hart is an archaeologist and paleoethnobotanist who specializes in the Maya region of Central America and Mexico. His research focuses on the role of ancient agriculture and the environment in the rise and collapse of the Maya civilization in Belize. His other research areas include food use and social organization in Paleo-Indian and Archaic North America and Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age Mesopotamia.

Dr. Hart teaches classes in archaeology and human-plant relations, including:

• ANTH 1160G: World Archaeology
• ANTH 313V: Ancient Mexico
• ANTH 388/488/522: Archaeological Field School
  • Visit the NMSU Archaeological Field School website to learn more
• ANTH 471/571: Archaeology of Food*
• ANTH 465/565: Introduction to Paleoethnobotany*

*These courses will be offered as ANTH 497/507 "special topics" classes until Fall 2026.