Robert Alan Clouse (Ph.D. 1996, University of Illinois--Urbana-Champaign) became the Director of the Office of Archaeological Research at the University of Alabama in 2001. Prior to his arrival in Alabama Dr. Clouse was head of the Minnesota Historical Society’s Archaeology Department from 1981 to 2001.  He was also an adjunct associate professor in the University of Minnesota’s Anthropology Department, Interdisciplinary Archaeological Studies Program, and the Classical and Near Eastern Studies Department.  He taught a practicum in archaeological field methods and archaeological field schools for 18 years.  Over the last few years he also taught study abroad courses in Spain on heritage resource preservation and management. Clouse was the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office Archaeologist for two and one-half years, and served an additional two years as acting Minnesota State Archaeologist. For many years he also served as the Tribal Archaeologist for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians Tribal Historic Preservation Board. He currently is on the board of the Register of Professional Archaeologists.

Clouse has conducted and directed numerous archaeological research and resource management projects in the Midwestern US. His Master’s thesis focused on research methods for undertaking lithic use-wear analysis. This was followed much later by the completion of a doctorate specializing in historic archaeology. Clouse has researched numerous projects on historic period archaeological sites, including early industrial sites, military installations, fur trade posts, and early townsites.  Topics of recent research are lithic technology, early lithic sites, and detailed analyses of petroglyphs.  Other areas of interest include integrating Cultural Resource Management (CRM) and Public Archaeology into a comprehensive archaeological education, enhancing the research value of archaeological investigations within the realm of CRM, and establishing mechanisms for more effective management and protection of archaeological sites.

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Recent Publications

(In press). Field Methods in Archaeology.  Altamira Press, Walnut Creek, CA.

(In press). Native Voices in Stone: The Petroglyphs at Jeffers, Minnesota. Minnesota Historical Society Press, St. Paul, MN.

 2002. Comprehensive Management of Rock Art Sites (with Debra Dandrich). Proceedings of the 2000 International Rock Art Congress.  Alice Springs, Australia.

 2001. Pattern and Function at Jeffers Petroglyphs, Minnesota. USA. Archaeologia E Arte Rupestre L’Europa-Le Alpi-La Valcamonica, pp. 15-22.

2000. Interpreting Archaeological Data through Correspondence Analysis. Historical Archaeology, 33(2):90-107.

 2000. Sustainability: Towards a Comprehensive Management Plan for Rock Art Sites. In P. Whitehead and L Loendorf (eds.) 1999 International Rock Art Congress Proceedings, Volume I, pp. 39-46. ARARA, Tuscon.

 2000. Anthropology in Service to Archaeology. Anthropology News, 40(4):41.

1998.  An Archaeological Assessment of Proposed ISTEA Funded Development at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Occasional Publications in Heritage Management, No. 11. Archaeology Department, Minnesota Historical Society.

1998. All That Remains: A Study of Historic Structures at Fort Snelling, Minnesota (with E. Steiner). Occasional Publications in Heritage Management, No. 10. Archaeology Department, Minnesota Historical Society.

1996. Industrial Archaeology at Mill Ruins Park -- 1996, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Occasional Publications in Heritage Management No. 7.  Archaeology Department, Minnesota Historical Society.