On Episode 27 of A Life in Ruins Podcast, we interview Dr. Robert L. Kelly. Dr. Kelly was all the cohosts thesis advisor at the University of Wyoming. Dr. Robert L. Kelly wrote the book, The Lifeways of Hunter-Gatherers: The Foraging Spectrum, on hunter-gatherer archaeology and the mathematical proofs behind it.
He was involved in early research at Gatecliff Rockshelter and then he continued on to influence archaeological theory for the rest of his career. He writes a regular textbook with Dr. David Hurst Thomas named “Archaeology” (latest edition).
He has also written a book on the future of archaeology called The Fifth Beginning.
We have a super interesting philosophical conversation about archaeology and its meaning. Bob recounts his early life and how he found his way out in the desert with David Hurst Thomas during his first days as an archaeologist.
We then discuss his transition from Cornell to the University of New Mexico and the University of Michigan, and have a lengthy discussion about his mentor, Lewis Binford and his eccentric life.
The majority of the podcast however, is an in-depth conversation about anthropology, how the field has changed over the years, and what it means to be human.
Robert L Kelly Email: rlkelly@uwyo.edu
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