Lab News

Expert in Stone-Tool Technology Joins Crow Canyon Laboratory Staff

by Scott Ortman, Acting Director of Research
June 30, 2008

Crow Canyon is pleased to announce that Fumiyasu Arakawa, formerly adjunct professor of anthropology at Washington State University and the University of Idaho, joined our research team this June as a laboratory analysis specialist. Fumi received his Ph.D. in anthropology at Washington State University in 2006, under the tutelage of Crow Canyon research associate Tim Kohler.

For his dissertation, Fumi completed a comprehensive study of chipped-stone material sources and artifact distributions in the central Mesa Verde region. As part of his study, Fumi analyzed chipped-stone artifacts from numerous sites, including sites excavated by Crow Canyon and sites within Mesa Verde National Park. Through these studies, he discovered that raw material distributions became more restricted as human populations increased over time, suggesting an increasing concern over control of territory between communities. Fumi's work has been supported by the National Science Foundation, has begun to appear in leading professional journals, and demonstrates the untapped potential of chipped-stone artifacts for archaeological interpretation. We are thrilled to add this level of expertise and experience to our staff.

Fumi has a long history of association with Crow Canyon. He first came to the Center in 1998 as a research intern. Following this experience, he completed a master's thesis on chipped-stone artifacts from Crow Canyon's excavations at Yellow Jacket Pueblo. As a Ph.D. student, he worked for Crow Canyon as a chipped-stone analyst and helped develop the stone material categories and analysis procedures we still use in our lab. More recently, he participated in the Village Ecodynamics Project (2002–2007) as a member of the Community Center Survey team.

Fumi also has a distinguished teaching record at the university level and brings a strong work ethic and deep commitment to Crow Canyon's mission. "I am so pleased to come back to Crow Canyon," Fumi exclaimed in a recent interview. "My experience as an intern changed my life, so I am excited to have the chance to give something back and help Crow Canyon develop as a world-class institution."

Please join me in welcoming Fumi to our staff.