David Abbott

Associate Professor Emeritus,

School of Human Evolution and Social Change

Other ASU affiliations

Affiliate Global Futures Scholar, Global Futures Scientists and Scholars

SHESC 358 TEMPE, AZ 85287-2402
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Long Bio

David R. Abbott is associate professor of anthropology at Arizona State University. He has designed and is conducting a long-term research program focused on the ancient pottery of the Sonoran Desert. He combines pottery studies with geological, petrographic, and chemical analyses to determine, the organization of ceramic production and distribution in southern and central Arizona. This work is dedicated to modeling the exchange and social networks that composed the Hohokam regional system, investigating the impact of large-scale irrigation on sociocultural evolution, and developing the unique contribution that ceramic research can make to the study of prehistoric communities.

Education

Ph.D. Anthroplogy, Arizona State University
M.S. Statistics, University of Arizona
M.A. Anthropology, Arizona State University

Curriculum Vitae

Publications

Abbott, David R., and Andrew D. Lack. Prehistoric Warfare in Central Arizona, USA: Assessing Its Scale with Ceramic Chemistry. Geoarchaeology (2013).
Abbott, David R., Andrew D. Lack, Alexa M. Smith, and Henry D. Wallace. A Manual and Graphical Guide for Hohokam Decorated Ceramics from the Middle Gila River Valley: Towards a Systematic Approach to Hohokam Pottery Classification. Journal of Arizona Archaeology (2012).
Abbott, David R., Sophia E. Kelly, Andrew D. Lack, and Margaret E. Beck. Testing the Provenance of Patayan Pottery at Las Colinas: Chemical and Petrographic Analyses of Phyllite-Temper Fragments. Journal of Archaeological Science (2012).
Fertelmes, Craig, David R. Abbott, and M. Steven Shackley. Obsidian Source Characterization at Las Colinas: Shifting Exchange Patterns during the Hohokam Sedentary- Classic Transition. Kiva (2012).
Kim, Ok Soon, David R. Abbott, Sophia E. Kelly, and Yun Deuk Jang. Production System of Changnyeong Type Pottery. Journal of Baekje Studies (2012).
Lack, Andrew D., Sophia E. Kelly, David R. Abbott, Joshua Watts, and Pamela Cox. Identifying and Charting the Rise of Specialized Red-on-Buff Pottery Production along Queen Creek, Phoenix Basin. Journal of Arizona Archaeology (2012).
Abbott, David R. The Fort Mountain Project, Volume 3: The Fort Mountain Ceramic Analysis. (2012).
Abbott, David R., Christopher N. Watkins, and Sophia E. Kelly. Persistent Connectivity across West-Central Arizona during the 14th Century: A Ceramic Perspective on the Verde Confederacy Model. Prehistoric Cultures of the Perry Mesa Region: Proceedings of the Perry Mesa Symposium (2012).
Watts, Joshua, David R. Abbott, Andrew D. Lack. Analysis of a Ceramic Assemblage from the Northwestern Portion of La Plaza [AZ U:9:165 (ASM)]. Archaeological Investigations at the Northwestern Edge of La Plaza, A Hohokam Village Site in Tempe, Arizona (2012).
Judy Newland and David R. Abbott. Choosing a Future with Water: Lessons from the Hohokam. (2012).
Abbott, David R. A Provenance Analysis of Buff Ware Pottery. Center for Desert Archaeology Anthropological Papers No. 44 (2011).
Abbott, David R. Chemical Analyses of the Clay Fractions in the Crismon Ruin Buff Ware Pottery. Center for Desert Archaeology Anthropological Papers No. 44 (2011).
Abbott, David R. Rough-Sort and Detailed Analyses of the Crismon Ruin Ceramics. Center for Desert Archaeology Anthropological Papers No. 44 (2011).
Kelly, Sophia E., Christopher N. Watkins, and David R. Abbott. Revisting the Exploitable Threshold Model: 14th Century Resource Procurement and Landscape Dynamics on Perry Mesa, Arizona. Journal of Field Archaeology (2011).
Judy Newland and David R. Abbott. Choosing a Future with Water: Lessons from the Hohokam. (2011).
Abbott, David R., and Joshua Watts. Identical Rock Types with Different Chemistry: Sourcing Phyllite-Tempered Hohokam Pottery from the Phoenix Basin, Arizona. Journal of Archaeological Science (2010).
Kwiatkowski, Scott, and David R. Abbott. Ceramics for the Fort Mountain Project. Archaeological Research Services Project Report (2010).
Nelson, Margaret C., Keith Kintigh, David R. Abbott, and John M. Anderies. The Cross-scale Interplay between Social and Biophysical Context and the Vulnerability of Irrigation-dependent Societies: Archaeology's Long-term Perspecive. Ecology and Society (2010).
Abbott, David R. The Rise and Demise of Marketplace Exchange among the Prehistoric Hohokam of Arizona. Archaeological Approaches to Market Exchange in Ancient Societies (2010).
David R. Abbott. Extensive and Long-Term Specialization: Hohokam Ceramic Production in the Phoenix Basin, Arizona. American Antiquity (2009).
David R. Abbott, Andrew D. Lack, and Mark R. Hackbarth. Provenance and Microprobe Assays of Phyllite-Tempered Ceramics from the Uplands of Central Arizona. Geoarchaeology: An International Journal (2008).
David R. Abbott, Scott E. Ingram, and Katherine A. Spielmann. Warfare and Farming: National Science Foundation Research on the Late Prehistoric Occupation of Perry Mesa. Prescott to Perry Mesa: 4,000 Years of Adaptation, Innovation, and Change in Central Arizona (2008).
David Abbott. Hohokam Ritual and Economic Transformation: Ceramic Evidence from the Phoenix Basin, Arizona. North American Archaeologist (2007).
David Abbott, Alexa Smith, Emiliano Gallaga. Ballcourts and Ceramics: The Case for Hohokam Marketplaces in the Arizona Desert. American Antiquity (2007).
David Abbott, Andrew Lack, Gordon Moore. Chemical Assays of Temper and Clay: Modeling Pottery Production and Exchange in the Uplands North of the Phoenix Basin, Arizona, USA. Archaeometery (2007).
David Abbott, Joshua Watts, Andrew Lack. The Provenance and Concentrated Production of Hohokam Red-on-Buff Pottery from the Arizona Desert. Journal of Anthropological Research (2007).
David Abbott, Scott Ingram, Brent Kober. Hohokam Exchange and Early Classic Period Organization in Central Arizona: Focal Villages or Linear Communities?. Journal of Field Archaeology (2006).
. . Archaeological Investigations at the Mueller Site, AZ U:1:307(ASM), Cave Creek, Arizona (2006).
Abbott, David Ralph. Analysis and Microprobe Assays of the Mueller Ceramics. Archaeological Investigations at the Mueller Site, AZ U:1:307 (ASM), Cave Creek, Arizona (2006).
Abbott, David Ralph (Author) . Ceramic Research Issues and Rough-Sort Analysis. Archaeological Investigations at Palo Verde Ruin, AZ T:8:68(ASM): The Terramar Project, Vol. 2, Artifact Analysis and Synthesis (2006).
Abbott, David Ralph (Author) . Ceramics and the Organization of Regional Ceremonial and Exchange Networks at Palo Verde Ruin. Archaeological Investigations at Palo Verde Ruin, AZ T:8:68(ASM): The Terramar Project, Vol. 2, Artifact Analysis and Synthesis (2006).
Abbott, David Ralph (Author) . Detailed Analysis of the Palo Verde Ruin Sherd Assemblage. Archaeological Investigations at Palo Verde Ruin, AZ T:8:68(ASM): The Terramar Project, Vol. 2, Artifact Analysis and Synthesis (2006).
Abbott, David Ralph (Author) . Microprobe Analysisof Ceramic Clay, Temper, and Slips from Palo Verde Ruin. Archaeological Investigations at Palo Verde Ruin, AZ T:8:68(ASM): The Terramar Project, Vol. 2, Artifact Analysis and Synthesis (2006).
Abbott, David Ralph (Author) . The Palo Verde Ruin Chronology. Archaeological Investigations at Palo Verde Ruin, AZ T:8:68(ASM): The Terramar Project, Vol. 1, Description and Chronology (2006).
Abbott, David Ralph (Author) . The Palo Verde Whole Pots and Worked Sherds: Evidence for Decentralized Storage and Specialized Production at Palo Verde Ruin. Archaeological Investigations at Palo Verde Ruin, AZ T:8:68(ASM): The Terramar Project, Vol. 2, Artifact Analysis and Synthesis (2006).
Mauz, Kathryn (Author) ,Abbott, David Ralph (Author) . Preliminary Geologic Analysis of Metamorphic Temper Materials: Summary of Reconnaissance Activities and Evaluation of Sourcing Potential. Archaeological Investigations at Palo Verde Ruin, AZ T:8:68(ASM): The Terramar Project, Vol. 2, Artifact Analysis and Synthesis (2006).
Robert Hunt, David Guillet, David Abbott, James Bayman, Paul Fish, Suzanne Fish, Keith Kintigh, James Neely. Plausible Ethnographic Analogies for the Social Organization of Hohokam Canal Irrigation. American Antiquity (2005).
Abbott, David Ralph (Author) . Possible Hohokam Ceramics from the Stoneridge Project. Data Recovery at 22 Sites in the Stoneridge Development, Prescott Valley, Yavapai County, Arizona, Volume 3 (2005).
Abbott, David Ralph (Author) . Pottery Patterns and Community Organization in Canal System 7: An Analysis of the Ceramics from the Southern Avenue and 24th Street Project Area. Archaeological Investigations at an Early Classic Period Farmstead -- The First Peoples Site (2005).
Abbott, David Ralph (Author) . Prehistoric Ceramics from the El Adobe Project Area at La Plaza. La Plaza Y La Cremaría: Archaeological Investigations in a Portion of AZ U:9:165(ASM), A Multicomponent Site in Tempe, Maricopa County, Arizona (2005).
Abbott, David Ralph (Author) ,Cogswell, J W (Author) ,et, al. A Provenance Study of Hohokam Schist-Tempered Pottery and Raw Materials: Techniques and Prospects. Laser Ablation ICP-MS in Archaeological Research (2005).
David Abbott. Electron Microprobe Analyses of Raw Phyllite and Phyllite-tempered Pottery from the Veres Site. Archaeological Papers No. 04-01. Northland Research, Tempe (2004).
Abbott, David Ralph (Author) ,Marshall, John T (Author) . Chronology. Prehistoric Occupation Along Middle Cave Creek, Archaeological Investigations of the Veres Site (AZ U:1:159[ASM]): The AM Ranch Project (2004).
Smith, Alexa M (Author) ,Abbott, David Ralph (Author) ,Cherryman, Ann (Author) . A Thousand Years in the Making: Prehistoric Ceramics at Roadrunner Village and the Artesia Site. Formative Settlements on the Pinaleño Mountains Bajada (2004).
Abbott, David Ralph. Centuries of Decline during the Hohokam Classic Period at Pueblo Grande. (2003).
Abbott, David Ralph (Author) . Classic Period Ceramics, Communities, and Irrigation Management. Centuries of Decline during the Hohokam Classic Period at Pueblo Grande (2003).
Abbott, David Ralph (Author) . The Politics of Decline in Canal System 2. Centuries of Decline during the Hohokam Classic Period at Pueblo Grande (2003).
Abbott, David Ralph (Author) ,Breternitz, Cory Dale (Author) ,Robinson, Christine K (Author) . Challenging Conventional Conceptions. Centuries of Decline during the Hohokam Classic Period at Pueblo Grande (2003).
Abbott, David Ralph (Author) ,Foster, Michael S (Author) . Site Structure, Chronology, and Population. Centuries of Decline during the Hohokam Classic Period at Pueblo Grande (2003).
. . Intersections: Pathways Through Time (2002).
David Abbott, Susan Stinson, Scott Van Keuren. The Economic Implications of Hohokam Buff Ware Exchange during the Early Sedentary Period. 67:7-29. Kiva (2001).
Abbott, David Ralph. The Grewe Archaeological Research Project, Volume 2: Material Culture, Part 1: Ceramic Studies. (2001).
Abbott, David Ralph (Author) . Hohokam Buff Ware Production and Distribution and the Provenance of Decorated Pottery from the BMGR. Procurement, Processing, and Passing Through (2000).
Abbott, David Ralph (Author) ,Elson, Mark D (Author) . Organizational Variability in Platform Mound-Building Groups of the American Southwest. Alternative Leadership Strategies in the Prehispanic Southwest (2000).

Research Activity

Abbott,David Ralph*. Mapping the Historical Development of Canal System 1. NATL GEOGRAPHIC SOC(8/15/2015 - 8/14/2016).
Nelson,Margaret C*, Nelson,Margaret C*, Abbott,David Ralph, Anderies,John M, Anderies,John M, Candan,Kasim Selcuk, Elser,Monica Mueller, Hegmon,Michelle, Kintigh,Keith William, Kinzig,Ann, Kinzig,Ann, Nelson,Ben A, Spielmann,Katherine Ann. CNH: The Complexities of Ecological and Social Diversity: A Long-Term Perspective. NSF-SBE(9/1/2011 - 2/28/2016).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant: A multi-factor analysis of the emergence of a specialist-based economy among the Phoenix Basin Hohokam. NSF-SBE(6/1/2011 - 5/31/2013).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Arizona Archaeological Society Study of Phyllite-Tempered Pottery from Brooklyn Basin and Seven Springs, Central Arizona. AZ ARCHEOLOGICAL SOC(11/1/2010 - 5/15/2012).
Spielmann,Katherine Ann*, Abbott,David Ralph, Hall,Sharon. Legacies on the Landscape: Socioecological interactions on Perry Mesa Agua Fria National Monument Arizona. DOI-BLM(10/1/2010 - 9/30/2016).
Abbott,David Ralph*. University of Iowa: Ceramics Phyllite Study. U.I(1/29/2010 - 5/31/2010).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Gila River Indian Community: Buff Ware Ceramic Analysis, Phase 2. GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY(10/15/2009 - 1/31/2012).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Gila River Indian Community - Buff Ware Ceramic Analysis. GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY(2/1/2009 - 9/30/2010).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Eco-Plan - Cordes Junction Ceramics Phyllite Study. EcoPlan(10/1/2008 - 8/15/2010).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Small Projects Ceramic Analysis. SOIL SYSTEMS INC(4/1/2008 - 9/1/2008).
Abbott,David Ralph*. URS - La Plaza Ceramic Analysis. URS Corp(8/15/2007 - 3/31/2009).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Northland Research - Pueblo del Rio Ceramic Analysis. Northland(8/1/2007 - 8/1/2008).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Carter-Burgess, Inc, Task I-D-2:401/404 ARCHAEOLOGY: Subtask I-D-2.6: Draft Treatment Plan. Carter-Burgess(3/30/2007 - 12/31/2007).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Soil Systems: Cashion Ceramics Analysis. SOIL SYSTEMS INC(2/1/2007 - 9/12/2007).
Abbott,David Ralph*. SWCA Environmental Consultants: Lakin Property Archaeological Testing Task IV (Data Recovery_ 9208-041 under Master Agreement). SWCA Environ. Con(9/15/2006 - 9/15/2007).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Analysis Proposal: Ceramics From the Quarter Circle One Ranch, Cave Creek, Arizona. AZ ARCHEOLOGICAL SOC(9/1/2006 - 12/31/2007).
Abbott,David Ralph*, Fall,Patricia L, Kintigh,Keith William, Moore,Gordon M, Nelson,Margaret C, Spielmann,Katherine Ann. Alliance and Landscape: Perry Mesa, Arizona in the Fourteenth Century. NSF-SBE(8/15/2006 - 7/31/2010).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Archaeological Research Services Exhibit 2: Pueblo Poniente Ceramic Analysis. Archaeological Research(8/15/2006 - 2/11/2007).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Northland Research - Cactus Forest Plychrome Ceramic Study. Northland(6/1/2006 - 6/1/2007).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Rio Salado Archaeology, LLC Temper Analysis of Hohokam Plain Wares. Rio Salado Arch(3/28/2006 - 12/31/2006).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Northland Research - Microprobe Assays of Lake Pleasant Ceramics. Northland(10/1/2005 - 9/30/2006).
Nelson,Margaret C*, Abbott,David Ralph, Anderies,John M, Hegmon,Michelle, Janssen,Marcus Alexander, Janssen,Marcus Alexander, Kintigh,Keith William, Kinzig,Ann, Nelson,Ben A, Redman,Charles L, Simon,Arleyn W, Spielmann,Katherine Ann, Van Der Leeuw,Sander. Long-Term Coupled Socioecological Change in Northern Mexico and the American Southwest. NSF-SBE(9/15/2005 - 8/31/2009).
Anderies,John M*, Abbott,David Ralph, Janssen,Marcus Alexander, Janssen,Marcus Alexander, Kinzig,Ann, Perrings,Charles Aubrey, Rodriguez,Armando A. AOC: Integrated Analysis of Robustness in Dynamic Social Ecological Systems. NSF-SBE(9/1/2005 - 2/28/2011).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Soil Systems - Superstition Mountains Ceramic Analysis. SOIL SYSTEMS INC(9/1/2005 - 9/1/2006).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Soil Systems -- Southwest Germann Ceramic Analysis. SOIL SYSTEMS INC(9/1/2005 - 1/1/2008).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Soil Systems -- Desert Rose-South Mountain Ceramic Analysis. SOIL SYSTEMS INC(9/1/2005 - 9/1/2006).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Soil Systems -- Caterpillar Ceramic Analysis. SOIL SYSTEMS INC(9/1/2005 - 9/1/2007).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Carter Burgess - Merrill Ranch Ceramic Research Design. Carter-Burgess(9/1/2005 - 5/1/2006).
Spielmann,Katherine Ann*, Spielmann,Katherine Ann*, Abbott,David Ralph, Hall,Sharon. Legacies on the Landscape: Agricultural Production on Perry Mesa, Agua Fria National Monument. DOI-BLM(8/5/2005 - 4/30/2011).
Abbott,David Ralph*. SWCA Environmental Consultants - Master Agreement and Task 1: Arroyo Seco Ceramic Analysis and Task 2: Lakin Burial Recover Project. SWCA Environ. Con(3/8/2005 - 12/31/2006).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Archaeological Research Services - Pueblo Viejo Ceramic Analysis. Archaeological Research(1/21/2005 - 1/20/2006).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Soil Systems - Calderwood Butte Ceramic Analysis. SOIL SYSTEMS INC(8/15/2004 - 8/14/2006).
Abbott,David Ralph*. Northland Research - SRP Ceramic Analysis. Northland(7/1/2004 - 7/1/2006).

Courses

2021 Fall

Course Number	Course Title
ASB 493	Honors Thesis

2020 Fall

Course Number	Course Title
ASB 792	Research
ASB 493	Honors Thesis

2020 Spring

Course Number	Course Title
ASB 799	Dissertation
ASB 792	Research

2019 Fall

Course Number	Course Title
ASB 584	Internship
ASB 790	Reading and Conference
ASB 799	Dissertation
ASB 792	Research
ASB 590	Reading and Conference
ASB 499	Individualized Instruction
ASB 492	Honors Directed Study
ASB 493	Honors Thesis
ASB 592	Research

Presentations

Abbott, David R., and Christopher N. Watkins. The Advantages of Dual Petrographic and Electron Microprobe Analyses in Ceramic Provenance Studies. 77th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology (Apr 2012).
Abbott, David R., and Christopher N. Watkins. Persistent Connectivity across Central Arizona during the 14th Century: Evaluating the Verde Confederacy Model with Ceramics from Perry Mesa. 2011 Perry Mesa Symposium (Oct 2011).
Abbott, David R., Sophia E. Kelly, Andrew Lack, and Margaret Beck. The Provenance of Patayan Pottery from the Patayan Enclave at Las Colinas. 76th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology (Apr 2011).
Lack, Andrew, Sophia Kelly, David R. Abbott, Joshua Watts, and Pamela Cox. The Duration and Extent of Specialized Red-on-buff Production among the Hohokam along Queen Creek in the Phoenix Basin. 76th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology (Apr 2011).
Abbott, David R. Comments of Symposium Papers: New Perspectives on the Hohokam "Collapse.". 76th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology (Apr 2011).
Hegmon, Michelle, Mathew Peeples, Margaret Nelson, Jerry B. Howard, and David R. Abbott. Social Change or Path Dependence: Examining Regime Shifts in the Archaeology of the US Southwest. Resilience 2011 -- Resilience, Innovation, and Sustainability: Navigating the Complexities of Global (Jan 2011).
Abbott, David R., Sophia E. Kelly, Andrew D. Lack, Margaret E. Beck. Sourcing Patayan Pottery from Las Colinas with Electron Microprobe Assays and Petrographic Analysis. Fall Meeting of the Arizona Archaeological Council (Oct 2010).
Lack, Andrew D., Sophia E. Kelly, David R. Abbott, Pamela Cox. Identifying and Charting the Rise of Specialized Red-on-buff Production along Queen Creek, Phoenix Basin, Arizona. Fall Meetings of the Arizona Archaeological Council (Oct 2010).
Abbott, David R., Christopher Watkins, and Sophia E. Kelly. Persistent Connectivity across Central Arizona during the 14th Century: Evaluating the Verde Confederacy Model with Ceramics from Perry Mesa. A Decade of Discovery NLCS Science Symposium (May 2010).
Abbott, David R. Symposium: Alliance and Landscape on Perry Mesa, Central Arizona. 75th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology (Apr 2010).
Abbott, David R., and Katherine Spielmann. Alliance and Landscape on Perry Mesa, Central Arizona. 75th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology (Apr 2010).
Sophia E. Kelly, Gordon Moore, David Abbott, and Christopher Watkins. Technological Choices Related to Sand Temper Selection in Perry Mesa Plainware Pottery. 74th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology (Apr 2009).

Service

Deer Valley Rock Art Center Committee, Member (2012 - Present)
SHESC Anthropology Museum Exhibit Committee, Member (2012 - Present)
SHESC Search Committee, Member (2012 - Present)
SHESC Personnel Committee, Member (2011 - Present)
Pottery Southwest, Electronic Journal, Advisory Board Member (2006 - Present)
Arizona Archaeological Council, Executive Board Member (2012 - 2014)
CLAS Faculty Senate, SHESC Representative (2009 - 2011)
Arizona Museum of Natural History, Mesa Grande Interpretative Planning Team (2009 - 2010)
Society for American Archaeology, Publications Committee, Member (2007 - 2010)
Pueblo Grande Museum, Consultant of museum exhibit (2009 - 2010)
SHESC Graduate Committee, Member (2007 - 2009)
SHESC, Archaeology Approach, Convener (2007 - 2009)
SHESC, Executive Committee, Member (2007 - 2009)
Society for American Archaeology, Committee on Consulting Archaeology, Committee Member (2007 - 2009)
KAET Channel 8, Collaborator (2008 - 2008)
Academic Standards Committee, CLAS, College Assembly Member (2005 - 2008)
Kiva, the Journal of Southwestern Anthropology and History, Search Committee for Acquistions Editor (2005 - 2006)

Expertise Areas

Ceramics

Archaeology