Bio


Research interests:

design history and research; archaeological theory; heritage studies and archaeologies of the contemporary past; the archaeology of Grece-Roman urbanism; the regional archaeology of the English-Scottish borders.

Recent books:

Archaeology in the making: conversations through a discipline. Edited with Bill Rathje and Chris Witmore. Routledge 2013.

Archaeology: the discipline of things. With Bjørnar Olsen, Tim Webmoor and Chris Witmore. University of California Press, 2012.

The archaeological imagination. Left Coast Press, 2012.

Archaeologies of presence: art, performance and the persistence of being. Edited with Nick Kaye and Gabriella Giannachi. Routledge, 2012.

Current projects:

An archaeology of antiquity. With Gary Devore. For Oxford University Press.

The Revs Program at Stanford. Automotive archaeology.

From Tyne to Tweed. An archaeology of the English-Scottish borders, including excavations of the Roman town of Binchester.

http://mshanks.com

Academic Appointments


  • Professor, Classics

Administrative Appointments


  • Visiting Curator, Museum Boijmans van Beuningen (2012 - Present)
  • Visiting Professor of Archaeology, University of Durham (2010 - 2013)
  • Honorary Fellow, University of Durham (2014 - Present)
  • Visiting Professor of Humanities, Humanities Institute of Ireland, University College Dublin (2010 - 2013)
  • Affiliated Faculty, Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, Stanford University (2009 - Present)
  • Affiliated Faculty, Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University (2009 - 2013)
  • Affiliated Faculty, Urban Studies Program, Stanford University (2008 - Present)
  • The Violet Andrews Whittier Faculty Fellow, Stanford Humanities Center, Stanford University (2007 - 2008)
  • Codirector, Stanford Humanities Lab, Stanford University (2004 - 2009)
  • The Omar and Althea Dwyer Hoskins Faculty Scholar, Stanford University (2000 - 2013)
  • Professor of Classics, Stanford University (1998 - Present)
  • Professor of Cultural and Social Anthropology, Stanford University (1998 - 2005)
  • Visiting Professor, University of Turku (2006 - 2006)
  • Visiting Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2006 - 2006)
  • Benjamin Meaker Fellow and Visiting Professor, Bristol University (2005 - 2005)
  • Docent and Visiting Professor, lnstitutionen for Arkelogi, Goteborgs Universitet (1997 - Present)
  • Teaching Fellow, University of Wales Lampeter (1992 - 1993)
  • Visiting Lecturer, Carmarthen College of Technology and Art, Goteborgs Universitet (1993 - 1995)
  • Visiting Professor, Carmarthen College of Technology and Art, Goteborgs Universitet (1995 - 1995)
  • Visiting Professor, Archeologisch Centrum, Rijks Universiteit, Leiden (1993 - 1993)
  • Research Fellow, Maison des Sciences de !'Homme, Paris, Centre d'Archeologie Classique, Paris 1 (1992 - 1992)
  • Doctoral Research Fellow, British Academy (1988 - 1991)
  • Teacher of Classics, Whitley Bay High School, Tyne and Wear (1982 - 1988)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations


  • Excavator, Binchester Roman Town UK (2009 - 2013)
  • Surveyor, Hadrian's Wall UK 2004- deep mapping borderlands- a project in chorography (2004 - 2004)
  • Surveyor, Western Sicily, part of the Three Landscapes Project (1999 - 2000)
  • Excavator, Western Sicily (1998 - 1999)
  • Researcher, Museum based research into Corinthian pottery (1989 - 1992)
  • Surveryor and Excavator, survey and excavation focused on methodological issues of documentation, databasing, historiography
  • Archaeologist, urban and Roman professional contract archaeology (1980 - 1981)
  • Excavator and Surveyor, Binchester Roman Town - and the Scottish Borderlands (2009 - 2013)
  • Excavator and Surveyor, Binchester Roman Town - and the Scottish Borderlands (2004 - 2004)
  • Surveyor, The Carinthia and the Argo lid, Greece (2007 - 2008)
  • Excavator and Surveyor, Monte Polizzo, Sicily, excavation and regional survey (1998 - 2000)
  • Surveyor, Clywedog, West Wales, photo and topographic survey (1995 - 1995)
  • Surveyor, photo and topographic survey, Clywedog, West Wales (1996 - 1997)
  • Co-Developer, computer simulation of the bronze age landscape, Bohuslan, Sweden (1994 - 1994)
  • Excavator, Bryn Celli Dhu, Wales (1993 - 1993)
  • Researcher, museum studies, Corinthian pottery, Louvre, Paris (1992 - 1992)
  • Researcher, museum studies, Corinthian pottery, Greece and Italy, various museums (1991 - 1991)
  • Researcher, museum studies, Corinthian pottery, National Museum, Athens (1989 - 1989)
  • Surveyor, photographic survey, Medieval castles, Northumberland UK (1988 - 2001)
  • Architectural surveyor, The Castle, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1981 - 1981)
  • Surveyor, photographic survey, Medieval castles, Northumberland UK (2005 - Present)
  • Photographic surveyor, Megaliths, Sweden (1988 - 1988)
  • Site Supervisor, Blackfriars' and the Castle, Newcastle-upon-Tyne UK (1977 - 1981)
  • Preparer of New Catalogue, Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle·upon-Tyne UK (1976 - 1977)
  • Excavation Volunteer Assistant, Wallsend Roman Fort, UK (1975 - 1975)
  • Excavation, Volunteer Assistant, Corbridge Roman Fort, UK (1974 - 1974)
  • Board Member, Brith Gof cyf (Theatre) (1997 - 2004)
  • International Advisory Board, Member, Economic Development Board, City and Port of Rotterdam (2008 - 2011)
  • Board Member, Palo Alto Museum (2013 - Present)
  • Board Menber, VINOVIVM.ORG (2009 - Present)
  • President, California Classical Association (2009 - 2011)
  • Vice-President, California Classical Association (2008 - 2009)
  • Co-Director, Stanford Humanites Lab, Academic Service, Stanford University (2004 - 2009)
  • President's Panel on Outdoor Art: Chair, Academic Service, Stanford University (2002 - 2007)
  • President's Pane! on Outdoor Art: Member, Academic Service, Stanford University (1999 - 2002)
  • Advisory Committee: Stanford Digital Repository: Member, Academic Service, Stanford University (2005 - 2006)
  • Committee for the Review of Undergraduate Majors: Member, Academic Service, Stanford University (2001 - 2004)
  • Challenge Grants Selection Committee: Member, National Endowment for the Humanities (2007 - 2007)
  • Industrial Affiliates Program: Research and Technology North America, Daimler Chrysler (2004 - 2006)
  • Registered Charity: Board Member, Brith Gof (Theatre Company) (1997 - 2004)
  • Commission member: the archaeology of the contemporary past, French Ministry of Culture (1995 - 1995)
  • Head of Department, Department Management, University of Wales Lampeter (1996 - 1999)
  • Budget Holder (Archaeology), Department Management, University of Wales Lampeter (1996 - 1999)
  • Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department Management, University of Wales Lampeter (1993 - 1996)
  • Director of Graduate Studies (MA Archaeological Theory), Department Management, University of Wales Lampeter (1993 - 1996)
  • Staff-Student Consultation Committee, Chair, Department Management University of Wales Lampeter (1992 - 1993)
  • Director of Department Computing, Department Management, University of Wales Lampeter (1994 - 1996)
  • University Library Committee (Governing body): Chair, University Management and Academic Service, University of Wales lampeter (1996 - 1999)
  • University Senate (Governing body): Member, University Management and Academic Service University of Wales lampeter (1996 - 1999)
  • University Examining Board (Archaeology): Chair, University Management and Academic Service, University of Wales lampeter (1996 - 1999)
  • Founder's Library Committee: Member, University Management and Academic Service University of Wales lampeter (1996 - 1999)
  • University Subject Panel (History, Classics, Archaeology): Member, University Management and Academic Service University of Wales lampeter (2014 - Present)
  • Information Services Committee: Member, University Management and Academic Service University of Wales lampeter (1996 - 1999)
  • Teaching Innovation Committee: Member, University Management and Academic Service University of Wales lampeter (1996 - 1999)
  • Graduate School Committee: Member, University Management and Academic Service University of Wales lampeter (1996 - 1999)
  • Editor, Modernism/Modernity (2006 - 2006)
  • Editorial Board: Member, Journal of Contemporary Archaeology (2012 - Present)
  • Editorial Board: Member, Fennoscandia Archaeologica (1992 - 2007)
  • Editorial Board: Member, Archaeological Dialogues (1994 - 2007)
  • Reviews Editor, European journal of Archaeology (1995 - 1998)
  • Peer Reviewer, Routledge (1992 - Present)
  • Peer Reviewer, Cambridge University Press (1992 - Present)

Program Affiliations


  • Science, Technology and Society

Professional Education


  • B.A., Peterhouse, Cambridge, Archaeology and Anthropology (1980)
  • Postgraduate Certificate, University of Durham, Classical Languages and Ancient History (1982)
  • M.A., Peterhouse, Cambridge (1983)
  • Ph.D., Peterhouse, Cambridge (1992)
  • Docentur, Goteborgs Universitet (1996)

2024-25 Courses


All Publications


  • Chorographic memory Body as Archive Shanks, M., Pearson, M. edited by Haviland, L. C., Bissell, B. Pew Center for Arts and Heritage. 2014
  • Experience as excursion Experience Design Shanks, M., Svabo, C. edited by Benz, P. London, Bloomsbury. 2014
  • Paul Noble: Retrospective Shanks, M. Rotterdam. 2014
  • Pearson/Shanks 1993-2013 Shanks, M., Pearson, M. Blurb. 2013
  • Archaeology in the making: the human face of pasts-in-the-present Festschrift for Kristian Kristiansen Shanks, M. edited by Bergerbrant, S., Sabatini, S. Goteborg, University of Goteborg. 2013
  • The Hill ofTara: reflections From the Past to the Future Shanks, M. edited by O'Sullivan, M. Dublin, Roal lrlsh Academy Discovery Program. 2013
  • Archaeology and photography: a pragmatology Reclaiming Archaeology: Beyond the Tropes of Modernity Shanks, M., Svabo, C. edited by Gonzillez-Ruibal, A. London, Routledge. 2013
  • Theatre/Archaeology: reflections on hybrid creative practice Art and Archaeology Shanks, M., Pearson, M. edited by Russell, I., Cochrane, A. New York, Springer. 2013
  • Mobile media photography: new modes of engagement Digital Snaps: the New Face of Photography Shanks, M., Svabo, C. edited by Larsen, J., Sandbye, M. London, IB Tauris. 2013
  • Virtual worlds: ichnography and archaeology in the design of memory and archive The Future of the Archive: Perspectives from Contemporary Art Shanks, M. edited by Johansson, K. Goteborg, University of Goteborg. 2013
  • Archaeology in the Making edited by Shanks, M., Rathje, W. L., Witmore, C. Routledge. 2013
  • Heritage: Performance and Design The Reinwardt Memorial lecture 2012 Shanks, M. Amsterdam School of the Arts. 2013
  • Experiencing the Past: On the Character of Archaeology Shanks, M. Routledge. 2012
  • Archaeologies of Presence: Acting, Performing, Being edited by Shanks, M., Kaye, N., Giannachi, G. Routledge. 2012
  • The Archaeological Imagination Shanks, M. Left Coast Press. 2012
  • Archaeology: the Discipline ofThings Shanks, M., Olsen, B., Witmore, C., Webmoor, T. University of California Press. 2012
  • Archaeology and design history Cultural Histories of the Material World Shanks, M. edited by Miller, P. Ann Arbor, University of Michigan Press. 2012
  • Archaeologies of presence: here and now Archaeologies of Presence: Acting, Performing, Being Shanks, M., Hershman, L. edited by Kaye, N., Giannachi, G., Shanks, M. London, Routledge. 2012
  • Echoes across the Past: Chorography and topography in antiquarian engagements with place PERFORMANCE RESEARCH Shanks, M., Witmore, C. 2010; 15 (4): 97-106
  • Memory practices and the archaeological imagination in risk society: design and long term community The Unquiet Past: Theoretical Perspectives on Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, Shanks, M., Witmore, C. edited by Koemer, S., Russell, I. Farnham, Ashgate. 2010
  • The political economy of visual media in archaeology Representing the Past: Archaeology through Image and Text Shanks, M., Webmoor, T. edited by Bonde, S., Houston, S. Providence Rl, Brown University, Joukowsky Institute. 2010
  • Michael Shanks and Lynn Hershman: the scientist and the artist Science is Culture: Conversations from the Seed Salon Shanks, M. edited by Bly, A. New York, Harper Collins. 2010
  • Engagement: Archaeological Design and Engineering ARCHAEOLOGIES-JOURNAL OF THE WORLD ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONGRESS Shanks, M. 2009; 5 (3): 546-556
  • Artercality: art as craft in a knowledge economy Art School: Propositions for the 21st Century Shanks, M., Schnapp, J. edited by Madoff, S. Cambridge MA, MIT Press. 2009
  • Cultural Property The Oxford Companion to Law Shanks, M. Oxford, Oxford University Press. 2008
  • Social theory and archaeology Encyclopaedia of Archaeology Shanks, M. London, Elsevier. 2008
  • Symmetrical archaeology WORLD ARCHAEOLOGY Shanks, M. 2007; 39 (4): 589-596
  • Revolution fulfilled? 'Symbolic and Structural Archaeology' a generation on CAMBRIDGE ARCHAEOLOGICAL JOURNAL Hodder, I., Leone, M. P., Bernbeck, R., Shanks, M., Tomaskova, S., McAnany, P. A., Shennan, S., Renfrew, C. 2007; 17 (2): 199-228
  • Arqueologia Simetrica Complutum Shanks, M. 2007; 18: 292-296
  • Ancient Greece: National Geographic Investigates Shanks, M., McGee, M. National Geographic. 2007
  • Postprocessual archaeology and after Handbook of Archaeological Method and Theory Shanks, M. edited by Chippindale, C., Maschner, H. Walnut Creek, Altamira. 2007
  • Digital media, agile design and the politics of archaeological authorship Archaeology and Media Shanks, M. edited by Brittain, M., Clack, T. Walnut Creek, Left Coast Press. 2007
  • The Artist and the Archaeologist Seed Magazine Shanks, M., Hershman, L. 2007
  • Key concepts: heritage, habitus, agency Archaeology: Key Concepts Shanks, M. edited by Bahn, P., Refrew, C. London, Routledge. 2005
  • Three rooms: Archaeology and performance JOURNAL OF SOCIAL ARCHAEOLOGY Shanks, M. 2004; 4 (2): 147-180
  • Art and the Early Greek State: An Interpretive Archaeology Shanks, M. Cambridge University Press. 2004
  • Archaeological modernisms Modernism/Modernity Shanks, M., Schnapp, J., Tiews, M. 2004; 11: 1-16
  • Archaeology/politics The Blackwell Companion to Archaeology Shanks, M. edited by Bintliff, J. Oxford, Blackwell. 2004
  • Archaeologies of the Modern edited by Shanks, M., Schnapp, J., Tiews, M. Modernism/Modernity. 2004
  • The perfume of garbage: Modernity and the archaeological MODERNISM-MODERNITY Shanks, M., Plat, D., RATHJE, W. L. 2004; 11 (1): 61-83
  • Critical approaches to fieldwork: Contemporary and historical practice (Book Review) CAMBRIDGE ARCHAEOLOGICAL JOURNAL Book Review Authored by: Shanks, M. 2002; 12 (1): 151-153
  • An archaeology of socialism (Book Review) CAMBRIDGE ARCHAEOLOGICAL JOURNAL Book Review Authored by: LEONE, M. P., Shanks, M., Olivier, L., Thomas, J., McGuire, R. H., Rathje, W. 2002; 12 (1): 131-150
  • Mark Dian: Archaeology Cambridge Archaeological journal Shanks, M. 2002; 12: 171-174
  • Culture/Archaeology: the dispersion of a discipline and its objects Archaeological Theory Today: Breaking the Boundaries Shanks, M. edited by Hodder, I. Cambridge, Blackwell Polity. 2001
  • Theatre/Archaeology edited by Shanks, M., Pearson, M. Routledge. 2001
  • The future of the past in post-industrial society Industrial Heritage as Force in Democratic Society Shanks, M. edited by Westin, H. Stockholm, National Heritage Board. 2001
  • Tri Bywyd (Three Lives), A Site Specific Performance by Brith Gof Site Specific Art Shanks, M. edited by Kaye, N. London: Routledge. 2000
  • The craft of archaeology Reader in Interpretive Archaeology Shanks, M. edited by McGuire, R., Thomas, J. Leicester, Leicester University Press. 2000
  • Art and the Early Greek State: An Interpretive Archaeology Shanks, M. Cambridge University Press. 1999
  • Digging for the past (Book Review) AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY Book Review Authored by: Shanks, M. 1998; 102 (2): 430-431
  • The life of an artifact Fennoscandia Archeologica Shanks, M. 1998; 15: 15-42
  • Postprocessual and interpretive archaeology Cognitive and Postprocessual Archaeology Shanks, M. edited by Hodder, I., Whitley, D. S. London, Routledge. 1998
  • L'arch6ologie et le passe contemporain: un paradigme (in french) Une Archeologie du Passe Recent? Shanks, M. edited by Schnapp, A. Paris, Fondation Maison des Sciences de L'Homme. 1997
  • Relativism, objectivity and the politics of the past Archaeological Dialogues Shanks, M. 1997; 4: 164-184
  • Photography and the archaeological image The Cultural Life of Images: Vi sua! Representation in Archaeology Shanks, M. edited by Molyneaux, B. London, Routledge. 1997
  • Classical Archaeology: Experiences of the Discipline Shanks, M. Routledge. 1997
  • Interpreting Archaeology: Finding Meaning in the Past edited by Shanks, M., Hodder, I., Alexandri, A., Buchli, V., Carman, J., Last, J., Lucas, G. Routledge. 1997
  • Archaeological theory: what's on the agenda? American Journal of Archaeology Shanks, M. 1997; 101: 78-85
  • Archaeology, the vitality of the material past, and a new romanticism (in Greek) The Unknown City: Architects Plans for Ten Archaeological Sites in Thessa!onika Athens Shanks, M. edited by Astreinidou, P., Semaiophorides, G. Untimely Books,. 1997
  • Foreword: Archaeology and landscape The Hermeneutics of Space: Archaeology of Mind, Shanks, M. edited by Nash, G. Oxford, Tempus Reparatum. 1997
  • Recent publication in Gender Archaeology Antiquity Shanks, M. 1997; 71: 1091-1093
  • Classical Archaeology: Experiences of the Discipline Shanks, M. Routledge. 1996
  • Comments on A. Piccini, Filming through the mists of time: Celtic constructions and the documentary Current Anthropology Shanks, M. 1996; 37: S104-S105
  • Performing a visit: archaeologies of the contemporary past Performance Research Shanks, M., Pearson, M. 1996; 2: 42-60
  • The craft of archaeology AMERICAN ANTIQUITY Shanks, M., McGuire, R. H. 1996; 61 (1): 75-88
  • Traill: Schliemann International Journal of Heritage Studies Shanks, M. 1996: 247-248
  • Style and the design of a perfume jar from an archaic Greek city state Contemporary Archaeology in Theory Shanks, M. edited by Preucel, R. W., Hodder, I. Oxford, Blackwell. 1996
  • Recent works in Social Archaeology Journal of European Archaeology Shanks, M. 1996; 5: 78-85
  • ARCHAEOLOGICAL METHOD - NEUSTUPNY,E (Book Review) JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE Book Review Authored by: Shanks, M. 1995; 1 (2): 408-409
  • Interpreting Archaeology: Finding Meaning in the Past edited by Shanks, M., Hodder, I., Alexandri, A., Buchli, V., Carman, J., Last, J., Lucas, G. Routledge. 1995
  • lronmaking: preservation, restoration and reconstruction The Importance of lronmaking: Technical Innovation and Social Change Shanks, M. edited by Magnusson, G. Stockham, Jernkontorets Bergshistoriska Utskott. 1995
  • McGuire: A Marxist Archaeology Journal of European Archaeology Shanks, M. 1995; 3: 220-221
  • The archaeological imagination: hopes and futures Archaeology at the End of the Millenium: Essays presented to E.Neustupny, Prague Shanks, M. edited by Kuna, M., Venclova , N. Prague, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. 1995
  • Art and the archaeology of the early Greek city state: a project of embodiment Cambridge Archaeological journal Shanks, M. 1995; 5: 1-38
  • Postprocessual and interpretive archaeology Interpreting Archaeology Shanks, M., Hodder, I. edited by Hodder, I., Shanks, M. London, Routledge. 1995
  • Interpretive archaeology: a glossary Interpreting Archaeology Shanks, M., Hodder, I. edited by Shanks, M. London, Routledge. 1995
  • Archaeology and the forms of history Interpreting Archaeology Shanks, M. edited by Hodder, I., Shanks, M. London, Routledge. 1995
  • Archaeological realities: embodiment and a critical romanticism The Archaeologist and his/her Reality: Proceedings of the 14th Nordic TAG Conference, 1992 Shanks, M. edited by Tusa, M., Kirkinen, T. 1995
  • Craft Interpreting Objects and Collections Shanks, M. edited by Pearce, S. London, Routledge. 1994
  • A ruined past: experience and reality Archaeological Dialogues Shanks, M., Bezelmans, J., Dommelen, P., Kolen, I. 1994; 1: 56-76
  • Comments on A.M. Byers, Symboling and the Middle-Upper Palaeolithic transition: a theoretical and methodological critique Current Anthropology Shanks, M. 1994; 35: 390-392
  • Archaeology: theories, themes and experience Theoretical Archaeology: Progress or Posture? Shanks, M., Mackenzie, L. edited by Mackenzie, L. Aldershot, Avebury. 1994
  • Theatre archaeology: photography The Drama Review Shanks, M. 1994
  • Social Theory and Archaeology Shanks, M., Tilley, C. Second Impression. 1993
  • Social Theory and Archaeology Shanks, M., Tilley, C. Fuji Tokyo. 1993
  • BLACK ATHENA - THE AFROASIATIC ROOTS OF CLASSICAL CIVILIZATION, VOL 1, THE FABRICATION OF ANCIENT-GREECE 1785-1985, VOL 2, THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE - BERNAL,M (Book Review) HISTORY TODAY Book Review Authored by: Shanks, M. 1992; 42: 56-57
  • Some recent approaches to style and social reconstruction in Classical Archaeology Archaeological Review from Cambridge Shanks, M. 1992; 11: 48-53
  • Style and the design of an Archaic Korinthian perfume jar Journal of European Archaeology Shanks, M. 1992; 1: 77-106
  • Experiencing the Past: On the Character of Archaeology Shanks, M. Routledge. 1992
  • ReConstructing Archaeology: Theory and Practice Shanks, M., Tilley, C. Routledge. 1992
  • Interpretation in archaeology Ill Cicio di Lezioni sulla Ricerca Applicata in Campo Archeologico, Siena 1989 Shanks, M. edited by Francovich, R. Firenze, Edizioni all'Insegna del Giglio. 1990
  • Reading the signs Archaeology after Structuralism Shanks, M. edited by Bapty, I., Yate's, T. London, Routledge. 1990
  • Archaeology into the 1990s Norwegian Archaeological Review Shanks, M., Tilley, C. 1989; 22 (1)
  • Social Theory and Archaeology Shanks, M., Tilley, C. University of New Mexico Press,. 1988
  • Abstract and substantial time Archaeological Review from Cambridge Shanks, M., Tilley, C. 1987; 6: 32-41
  • Social Theory and Archaeology Shanks, M., Tilley, C. Blackwell Polity. 1987
  • ReConstructing Archaeology: Theory and Practice Shanks, M., Tilley, C. Cambridge University Press. 1987
  • Ideology, symbolic power and ritual communication: a reinterpretation of Neolithic mortuary practices Symbolic and Structural Archaeology Shanks, M. edited by Hodder, I. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. 1982
  • The Castle, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (plans and survey) Archaeologia Aeliana Shanks, M. 1981; 55 (IX): 75-89