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Michael Blake is a Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia, specializing in anthropological archaeology with a focus on the emergence of social and political complexity and the origins and spread of agriculture, particularly maize and cacao. Blake completed his Ph.D. in Anthropology at the University of Michigan, where his research centered on household archaeology during the Postclassic period Maya at Canajasté, located near the Chiapas-Guatemala border in Mexico. He has conducted extensive archaeological investigations in Chiapas and the Salish Sea region of British Columbia. His doctoral studies initiated a long-term project examining socio-political systems in the Soconusco region of Chiapas, dating back 4000 to 3000 years. Blake's work has been supported by SSHRC Canada and various archaeological foundations, and involved partnerships with multiple universities and indigenous groups. His teaching and research interests include the transformative processes related to agriculture and community development in both Maya and Coast Salish contexts. Blake has published numerous works, including books and journal articles, contributing significantly to the understanding of ancient agricultural practices and their societal impacts.
University of British Columbia • Vancouver, BC, Canada
Specializes in anthropological archaeology focused on social and political complexity and agricultural origins.
Offers course-only and thesis routes. Focus areas include philosophy of science, mind, ethics, and Asian philosophy.