Dr. Christine Hastorf

Biography

Christine Hastorf focuses on social life, political change, agricultural production, foodways, and methodologies that lead to a better understanding of the past and the study of plant use. Her work examines agricultural production and cooking practices, highlighting social relations and gender dynamics surrounding plant use, the rise of complex societies, and the symbolic role of plants in legitimizing authority. She is particularly interested in the use of wild plants and the management of landscapes in indigenous worlds. Hastorf's research involves a range of methodological investigations aimed at improving the use of archaeobotanical remains in archaeological studies, primarily in the Andes of South America, but also in Mexico, Turkey, and Italy. She has taught archaeology, specifically focused on the Andean region, at UC Berkeley since 1994. She initiated the Taraco Archaeological Project in 1992, focusing on the study of ancient settlements and social networks around Lake Titicaca. Additionally, Hastorf has significant expertise in paleoethnobotany and has set up the UCB McCown Archaeobotany Laboratory, offering opportunities for student participation in ongoing research projects. Her principal investigations focus on macrobotanical remains and the broader implications of agricultural practices in historical contexts.

Research Interests

Experience