Professor Dr. Stephen Houston

Biography

Stephen D. Houston is the Dupee Family Professor of Social Science and a Professor of Anthropology at Brown University. He completed his A.B. at the University of Pennsylvania in 1980, followed by an M.Phil. at Yale University in 1983 and a Ph.D. in 1987. Houston previously held the Jesse Knight University Professorship at Brigham Young University. His research interests focus on Mesoamerican archaeology, exploring subjects such as ancient writing systems, hieroglyphs, and the complexities of Classic Maya civilization, particularly in relation to urbanism, kingship, and epigraphy. He has conducted significant excavations in the Maya city of El Zotz, Guatemala, and has been involved in extensive research at Piedras Negras, Guatemala. Author of numerous scholarly articles and books, Houston's work contributes to the understanding of Maya societal structures, including kingship and art, as well as the decipherment of ancient script. His scholarly impact is recognized through several accolades, including being elected as an Académico Correspondiente of the Academia de Geografía e Historia de Guatemala.

Research Interests

Awards