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H. Kory Cooper
Assistant Professor of Anthropology
H. Kory Cooper received his PhD at the University of Alberta in 2007 and joined Purdue University as a Visiting Scholar/Researcher in 2007.
Personal homepage: http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~hkcooper/
Office: STON 219Personal homepage: http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~hkcooper/
Office Phone: (765) 496-7430
Email: hkcooper@purdue.edu
Specialization: Hunter-gatherers of northwestern North America; anthropology of technology; archaeometry; archaeometallurgy; social complexity.
Dr. Cooper’s MA and PhD research both focused on the use of metals in ancient society. His MA research was a compositional analysis of copper alloy artifacts from Late Roman-Byzantine tombs in northern Jordan. Dr. Cooper’s recently completed PhD research focused on the use of native copper by indigenous groups in Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Using an anthropology of technology approach, his dissertation investigated the origins and social context of native copper, including its role in the creation and maintenance of hereditary inequality. Trace element analysis of native copper sources and artifacts was undertaken as part of this research in order to assess the potential to source native copper artifacts in the region. Dr. Cooper’s research into the use of native copper and trade metal by the indigenous peoples of northwestern North America is ongoing.