Rice archaeology has a long history of research and publication on later West African prehistory, and has been particularly engaged with the issue of emergent complex society and the variety of urban configurations that appeared there. More recently, we have added a focus in East African archaeology and the Swahili Coast, expanding our comparative perspective within Africa on complex societies. We offer regular field schools that alternate between West African and East African sites. Through our collaboration with the Yates Community Archaeology Project in Houston's historic Freedman's Town, we offer field training that addresses questions about the African diaspora and the history of formerly enslaved populations in Houston. We work in collaboration with community members to identify ways to bring the story of Freedman's Town to greater prominence.
You can view our scholarly research and publications, find current faculty, graduates, course pages, and information about the Rice Archaeological Field School in Africa. We also have resources for middle school students and teachers on our site.
Please click here to see a story about the Archaeology Program.