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Chacon Vitae August 2018

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RICHARD JOHN CHACON CURRICULUM VITAE

Office:

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Winthrop University

Rock Hill, SC 29733

Phone: (803) 323-4656

Email: [email protected]

INTERESTS

Human Behavioral Ecology, Natural Resource Conservation, Subsistence Strategies,

Warfare, Ritual Violence, Revolutionary Movements, Belief Systems, Ethnohistory,

Development of Social Complexity, Leadership, Collective Action, Long Distance

Exchange, Globalization, Secret Societies, and Ethics; Indigenous Peoples.

EDUCATION

2001 Ph.D. Department of Anthropology. University of California, Santa

Barbara.

1990 M.A. Department of Anthropology. University California, Santa Barbara.

1985-88 Master’s Program in Environmental Studies. California State University,

Fullerton.

1985 B.A. Department of Anthropology.California State University, Dominguez

Hills. Minor: Biology.

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

2018 Visiting Scholar in the Department of Historical Studies, University of

Gothenburg, Sweden. Summer.

2016 Visiting Scholar in the Department of Historical Studies, University of

Gothenburg, Sweden. Summer.

mailto:[email protected]


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2013 to

present Coordinator of Anthropology, Winthrop University, SC. Responsibilities

include program development and management, directing faculty position

searches, tenure review, reporting on program progress, and supervision of

majors.

2007 to

present Associate Professor of Anthropology. Winthrop University, S. C.

2002-06 Assistant Professor of Anthropology. Winthrop University, S C.

2001-02 Associate Professor of Anthropology. El Camino College, CA.

1997-01 Assistant Professor of Anthropology. El Camino College, CA.

1992-96 Adjunct Professor of Anthropology. Santa Barbara College, CA.

1988-91 Teaching Assistant. Department of Anthropology, University of California,

Santa Barbara.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Native Peoples and the Environment

Amerindian Warfare and Ritual violence

Ancient Civilizations of the Americas

Native Peoples of South America

Anthropology of the Andean Highlands

Cultures of Latin America

Cross Cultural Perspectives

Anthropological Theory

Language and Culture

Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

Introduction to Biological Anthropology

EMPLOYMENT (Other)

1991-93 U.S. Forest Service Archaeologist. Los Padres National Forest, CA.

Responsibilities included conducting archaeological excavations and

surveys to locate, map and assess impacts on prehistoric and historic sites

within the National Forest. Also responsible for writing cultural resource

impact reports and for the supervision of volunteers.


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GRANTS AND AWARDS

2017 Centre for Sea and Society Research Grant. University of Gothenburg,

Sweden. Grant # E 2017/196. $31, 470.

2017 Social Sciences Research Grant. Riksbankens Jubileumsfond,

The Swedish Foundation for Humanities and Social Science.

Stockholm, Sweden. Grant # F16-1482:1. $34,000.

2015 Social Sciences Research Grant. Riksbankens Jubileumsfond,

The Swedish Foundation for Humanities and Social Science.

Stockholm, Sweden. Grant # F15-1320:1. $33,000.

2012 Undergraduate Mentor Award in recognition of the mentorship of

undergraduate scholars and contributions to the intellectual enrichment of

the college. College of Arts and Sciences, Winthrop University, SC.

Spring.

2010 Undergraduate Mentor Award in recognition of the mentorship of

undergraduate scholars and contributions to the intellectual enrichment of

the college. College of Arts and Sciences, Winthrop University, SC.

Spring.

2010 Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of efforts towards fostering

professional development. Professional Development Committee.

Winthrop University. Fall.

2001 Certificate of Appreciation for efforts above and beyond in helping

students to succeed. Extended Opportunity Program and Services.

El Camino College. Torrance, CA. Fall.



El Camino College. Torrance, CA. Spring.



El Camino College. Torrance, CA. Fall.

1994 Continuing Graduate Student Fellowship. Graduate Division,

University of California, Santa Barbara.

1993 Continuing Graduate Student Fellowship. Graduate Division,

University of California, Santa Barbara.


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1990 Social Sciences/Humanities Research Grant. “The Effects of Western

Contact on the Yora Indians of Peru.” University of California,

Santa Barbara.

1990 National Hispanic Scholarship Fund Award. University of

California, Santa Barbara.

1988-92 Graduate Student Fellowship. Graduate Division, University of

California, Santa Barbara.

EDITORIAL EXPERIENCE

2018 Managing Editor for Current Research Journal of Social Sciences. Duties

include evaluating submitted manuscripts after seeking input from reviewers

selected on the basis of relevant expertise.

2011 to

present Series Editor for Springer’s Anthropology and Ethics Series. Duties include

the design and implementation of the Series in addition to the assessment of

submitted manuscripts. Publications address the many ethical ramifications

that ensue from conducting of anthropological research.

PUBLICATIONS (Books)

2017 Feast, Famine or Fighting? Multiple Pathways to Social Complexity. Co-

edited with Rubén G. Mendoza. New York: Springer.

2014 The Great Awakening and Southern Backcountry Revolutionaries. Co-

authored with Michael Scoggins. New York: Springer.

2012 The Ethics of Anthropology and Amerindian Research: Reporting on

Environmental Degradation and Warfare. Co-edited with Rubén G.

Mendoza. New York: Springer.

2007 North American Indigenous Warfare and Ritual Violence. Co-edited with

Rubén G. Mendoza. Tucson: University of Arizona Press.

2007 Latin American Indigenous Warfare and Ritual Violence. Co-edited with

Rubén G. Mendoza. Tucson: University of Arizona Press.

2007 The Taking and Displaying of Human Body Parts as Trophies by

Amerindians. Co-edited with David H. Dye. New York: Springer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer_review


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PUBLICATIONS (Chapters in edited volumes)

In press “Rock Art, Secret Societies, Long Distance Exchange, and Warfare in

Bronze Age Scandinavia.” Co-authored with Johan Ling and Yamilette

Chacon. In: Prehistoric Warfare and Violence: Quantitative and Qualitative

Approaches. Eds., A. Dolfini, R. Crellin, and C. Horn. New York: Springer.

2017 “Tibenuk and Chuji: Status Attainment and Collective Action in Egalitarian

Settings.” Co-authored with Douglas Hayward. In: Feast, Famine or

Fighting? Multiple Pathways to Social Complexity. Eds., R. Chacon and R.

Mendoza. New York: Springer. Pp. 223-248.

2017 “How Chiefdom and Early State Social Structures Resolve Collective

Action Problems.” Co-authored by David Willer, Pamela Emanuelson, and

Yamilette Chacon. In: Feast, Famine or Fighting? Multiple Pathways to

Social Complexity. Eds., R. Chacon and R. Mendoza. New York: Springer.

Pp. 417-452.

2012 “Conservation or Resource Maximization? Analyzing Subsistence Hunting

Among the Achuar (Shiwiar) of Ecuador.” In: The Ethics of Anthropology

and Amerindian Research: Reporting on Environmental Degradation and

Warfare. Eds., R. Chacon and R. Mendoza. New York: Springer. Pp. 311-

360.

2007 “Seeking the Headhunter’s Power: The Quest for Arutam Among the

Achuar Indians of the Ecuadorian Amazon and the Development of

Ranked Societies.” In: The Taking and Displaying of Human Body Parts

as Trophies by Amerindians. Eds., R. Chacon and D. Dye. New York:

Springer. Pp. 523-546.

2007 “Supplemental Data on Amerindian Trophy Taking.” Co-authored with

David H. Dye. In: The Taking and Displaying of Human Body Parts as

Trophies by Amerindians. Eds., R. Chacon and D. Dye. New York:

Springer. Pp. 618-629.

2007 “Blood for the Earth: The Inti Raimi Festival Among the Cotacachi and

Otavalo Indians of Highland Ecuador.” Co-authored with Yamilette.

Chacon and Angel Guandinango. In: Latin American Indigenous Warfare

and Ritual Violence. Eds., R. Chacon and R. Mendoza. Tucson: University

of Arizona Press. Pp. 118-141.


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2005 “Juvenile Responses to Household Ecology Among the Yora of the

Peruvian Amazon.” Co-authored with Lawrence Sugiyama. In: Hunter-

Gatherer Childhoods: Evolutionary, Developmental and Cultural

Perspectives. Eds., B. Hewlitt and M. Lamb. New York: Aldine De

Gruyter. Pp. 237-261.

2000 “Effects of Illness on Foraging Among the Yora and Shiwiar: Pathology

Risk as Adaptive Problem.” Co-authored with Lawrence Sugiyama. In:

Adaptation and Human Behavior. Eds., L. Cronk, N. Chagnon and W.

Irons. New York: Aldine De Gruyter. Pp. 371-395.

1998 “Diet, Dental Health and Cultural Change Among the Recently Contacted

South American Hunter-Horticulturalists.” Co-authored with Phillip

Walker and Lawrence Sugiyama. In: Human Dental Development,

Morphology, and Pathology. Ed., J. Lukacs and B. Hemphill. Eugene:

University of Oregon Anthropological Papers. Pp. 355-386.

PUBLICATIONS (Journals)

2015 “From Chiefdom to State: The Contribution of Social Structural Dynamics.”

Co-authored with Yamilette Chacon, David Willer, and Pamela

Emanuelson. Social Evolution & History Journal vol. 14(2):27-45

2014 “Elementary Theory: 25 Years of Expanding Scope and Increasing

Precision.” Advances in Group Processes vol. 31:175-217. Co-authored

with D. Willer, P. Emanuelson, B. Simpson, S. Thye, M. Lovaglia, H.

Walker, M. Corra, R. Willer, T. Patton, S. Gilham, Y. Chacon, and D.

Lewis.

2014 “Association is Not Causation: On Human Behavior, Climate Change and

Violence.” Co-authored with Ryan Harrod and Debra Martin. Anthropology

News vol. 55(4), April 22. < http://www.anthropology-

news.org/index.php/2014/04/22/association-is-not-causation/>

1995 “Variation in the Dental Health and Diet of Three Populations of

South American Horticulturalists: the Yora, Yanomamo, and Shiwiar.”

Co-authored with Phillip Walker and Lawrence Sugiyama. American

Journal of Physical Anthropology Supplement vol. 20:217.

1994 “Variation in the Dental Health of South American Indian

Horticulturalists.” Co-authored with Phillip Walker and Lawrence

Sugiyama. International Journal of Anthropology vol. 9(3):223.


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PUBLICATIONS (Forewords)

2013 “Foreword.” In: The Bioarchaeology of Climate Change and Violence: A

Temporal and Cross-Cultural Approach by Ryan Harrod and Debra Martin.

New York: Springer.

2013 “Foreword.” In: Mainstream Polygamy: The Paradox of the Non-Marital

Child in the West by Dominique Legros. New York: Springer.

2013 “Foreword.” In: Ethical Research with Sex Workers: Anthropological

Approaches by Susan Dewey and Tiantian Zheng. New York: Springer.

2012 “Foreword.” In: Images and Power: Rock Art and Ethics by Polly

Schaafsma. New York: Springer.

BOOK REVIEWS

2013 “Violent Times: Bioarchaeologies in the Americas.” Antiquity vol. 87:597-

599. Books reviewed: The Bioarchaeology of Violence by Debra Martin,

Ryan Harrod, and Ventura Perez. Gainesville: University of Florida Press

(2012) and Violence, Ritual and the Wari Empire by Tiffiny Tung.

Gainesville: University of Florida Press (2012).

MANUSCRIPTS IN PREPARATION

“Social Signaling and the Warrior-Big-man among the Western Dani: A

Man Called Tibenuk.” Co-authored with Paul Roscoe, Douglas Hayward,

and Yamilette Chacon (under review).

“Rock Art, Secret Societies, and Colonization.” Co-authored with Johan

Ling and Yamilette Chacon. This work puts forth the Extractive Colony

Hypothesis to explain observed Scandinavian Bronze Age settlement

patterns.

“Elite Agency, Long Distance Exchange, and the Rise of Social Complexity

in Prehistoric Costa Rica.” Co-authored with Yamilette Chacon and

Francisco Corrales. A synthesis of archaeological data, sociological theory,

and ethnographic information will shed light on the origins of Costa Rican

Social Complexity.

“Amerindian Hunting and Hunting Magic.” This research analyzes how

traditional beliefs affect the subsistence activities of indigenous peoples

throughout the Americas.


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“The Obstacles Latinos Face in Obtaining a Higher Education: An

Intersectional Analysis.” Co-authored with Yamilette Chacon. This work

documents some of the socio-economic challenges that Latinos must

overcome for success when pursuing a college education.

FIELD RESEARCH

2018 The Haida of Canada’s British Columbia. Summer

2001 The Otavalo and Cotacachi of the Ecuadorian Andes. Summer.

2000 The Otavalo and Cotacachi of the Ecuadorian Andes. Summer.

1998 The Achuar of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Summer.

1996 The Achuar of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Spring-Summer.

1994 The Achuar of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Summer-Fall.

1993 The Achuar of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Summer.

1991 The Yanomamö of the Venezuelan Amazon. Summer.

1990 The Yora of the Peruvian Amazon. Summer.

CONFERENCE ORGANIZER

2018 Co-Organizer of the “Long Distance Maritime Exchange and Social

Complexity Conference” held on June 8-10, 2018 at the University of

Gothenburg, Sweden. This interdisciplinary symposium explored the

relationship between watercraft technology, long distance exchange, and the

rise of social complexity cross-culturally.

2017 Co-Organizer of the “Warfare, Environment, Social Inequality, and Peace

Studies (WESIPS) Biennial Conference” held on May 25-27, 2017 at the

Center for Cross-Cultural Study in Seville, Spain. This interdisciplinary

conference addressed the underlying causes of warfare, environmental

degradation, and social inequality from various theoretical perspectives.

Conference website: https://www.spanishstudies.org/wesips-

conference.html

https://www.spanishstudies.org/wesips-conference.html

https://www.spanishstudies.org/wesips-conference.html


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2016 Co-Organizer of the “Trade Before Civilization Conference” held on May

27-29, 2016 at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. This interdisciplinary

symposium addressed the role that long distance exchange played in the

advent and maintenance of social complexity cross-culturally.

2015 Co-Organizer of the “Warfare, Environment, Social Inequality, and Peace

Studies (WESIPS) Biennial Conference” that took place on May 29-30,

2015 at the Center for Cross-Cultural Study in Seville, Spain. This

interdisciplinary conference addressed the underlying causes of warfare,

environmental degradation, and social inequality from various theoretical

perspectives.

CONFERENCE SESSIONS (Organizer/Discussant)

2014 Co-organizer of the “Feast, Famine or Fighting: Multiple Pathways to Social

Complexity” session at the Society for American Archaeology Annual

Meeting. Austin, TX. April.

2012 Discussant for the “Conference on Native American Archaeological

Research in the Catawba/Wateree Valley, 800-1860 A.D.” University of

South Carolina, Lancaster, Native American Studies Program. Lancaster,

SC. March.

2012 Discussant for the “Past and Present Cultures of the Southeast.” Cultural

Diversity Forum. Winthrop University, SC. February.

2011 Discussant for the “Body Parts, Parts of Bodies: The Traces of Violence in

Cultures in Conflict” session at the American Anthropological Association

Annual Meeting in Montreal, Canada. November.

2010 Discussant for the “Amerindian Star and Planetary Myths” Panel. Bechtler

Museum of Art. Charlotte, NC. October.

2010 Discussant for the “Bioarchaeological Signatures of Violence and

Aggression” session at the American Association of Physical

Anthropologists Annual Meeting in Albuquerque, NM. April.

2009 Co-organizer of the “To Report or Not to Report: Native American

Warfare, Environmental Degradation and the Anthropologist’s Dilemma”

session at the American Anthropological Association Annual Meeting in

Philadelphia, PA. December.


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2008 Discussant for “The Southerner.” Ethnographic Films Session Panel. The

Culture and Heritage Museum at the McCelvey Center, York, SC.

September.

2005 Co-organizer of the “Aboriginal Hunting and the Original State of Nature:

Were Amerindian Harvests Sustainable?” session at the American

Anthropological Association Annual Meeting in Washington DC.

November.

2004 Co-organizer of the “The Taking and Displaying of Human Body Parts by

Amerindians” session at the Society of American Archaeology Meeting in

Montréal, Canada. April.

2003 Organizer of the “Problems in Paradise Invited Session” sponsored by the

Society for Latin American Anthropology and General Anthropology

Division at the American Anthropological Association Annual Meeting in

Chicago, IL. November.

2003 Co-organizer of the “When Peace Fails” session at the American

Anthropological Association Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL. November.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

2018 “Scandinavian Bronze Age Rock Art, Long Distance Exchange, and Secret

Societies.” Co-presented with J. Ling and Y. Chacon at the Long Distance

Maritime Exchange and Social Complexity Conference. University of

Gothenburg, Sweden. June.

2017 “Status Acquisition and the Effects of Elevated Social Status in Egalitarian

Settings.” Paper presented at the Political Anthropology of Archaic and

Traditional Societies: Contemporary Approaches Conference. Russian State

University for the Humanities. November.

2017 “Rock Art, Warfare, and Long Distance Trade: Transformation of Bronze

Age Scandinavian Polities.” Co-presented with J. Ling and Y. Chacon at the

14th

Nordic Bronze Age Symposium. University of Oslo, Norway. June.

2017 “Jade, Gold, Long Distance Exchange, and the Advent of Social

Complexity in Prehistoric Costa Rica. Co-presented with Y. Chacon at the

Warfare, Environment, Social Inequality, and Peace Studies (WESIPS)

Biennial Conference in Seville, Spain. May.


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2017 “Rock Art, Secret Societies, Long Distance Exchange, and Warfare in

Bronze Age Scandinavia.” Co-presented with J. Ling and Y. Chacon at the

Warfare, Environment, Social Inequality, and Peace Studies (WESIPS)

Biennial Conference in Seville, Spain. May.

2016 “Elite Agency, Long Distance Exchange and the Rise of Social Complexity

in Prehistoric Costa Rica.” Co-presented with Y. Chacon at the Trade

Before Civilization Conference at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

May.

2015 “How Chiefdom and Early State Social Structure Resolve Collective Action

Problems.” Co-presented with D. Willer, P. Emanuelson, and Y. Chacon.

American Sociological Association Annual Meeting, Chicago IL. August.

2015 “How Are Chiefdom and State Distinct? New Formulations to Distinguish

the Two.” Co-presented with D. Willer and Y. Chacon. Midwest

Sociological Society Annual Meeting, Kansas City, MO. March.

2014 “The Social Production of Property and its Coercive Enforcement.” Co-

presented with P. Emanuelson, D. Willer, Y. Chacon, and D. Lewis at the

American Sociological Association Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA.

August.

2014 “Tibenuk and Chuji: Status Attainment and Collective Action in Egalitarian

Settings.” Co-presented with D. Hayward at the Society for American

Archaeology Annual Meeting. Austin, TX. April.

2014 “Prehistoric Chiefdoms and Their Social Structures” Co-presented with D.

Willer, Y. Chacon, P. Emanuelson, and D. Lewis at the Society for

American Archaeology Annual Meeting, Austin, TX. April.

2014 “Understanding Cotacachi Ritual Violence.” Paper presented at the Fields

of Conflict Conference. Columbia, SC. March.

2013 “Elementary Theory: 25 Years of Expanding Scope and Increasing

Precision.” Co-presented with D. Willer, Y. Chacon, and P. Emanuelson.

Lecture presented at the American Sociological Association’s Group

Processes 25th

Anniversary Conference. New York, NY. August.

2013 “From Influence to Power: The Path Through Chiefdoms to the Emergence

of the State.” Co-presented with D. Willer, Y. Chacon, P. Emanuelson, and

D. Lewis. Paper presented at the American Sociological Association Annual

Meeting in New York, NY. August.


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2013 “Cotacachi and Otavalo Indian Violence: Inti Raymi Fiesta in Highland

Ecuador.” Co-presented with Y. Chacon at the 1st Social Network

Environments (SoNetE) Conference, Department of Sociology and Social

Work, University of Bucharest, Romania. May.

2009 “Do Amazonian Blowgun Hunters Forage With Sustainability in Mind?”

Paper presented at the American Anthropological Association Annual

Meeting in Philadelphia, PA. December.

2006 “When Can Leaders Act Like Rulers? Three Models to Answer Questions

About Chiefdomship.” Co-presented with D. Willer and Y. Chacon at the

18th

Annual Group Process Meeting in Montréal, Canada. August.

2005 “Conservation or Resource Maximization? Hunting Among of the Achuar

(Shiwiar) of the Ecuadorian Amazonian” Paper presented at the American

Anthropological Association Annual Meeting in Washington DC.

November.

2004 “Seeking The Headhunter’s Power: The Quest for Arutam Among the

Achuar Indians of the Ecuadorian Amazon.” Paper presented at the

Society for American Archaeology Annual Meeting in Montréal, Canada.

April.

2003 “Blood for the Earth: Ritual Fighting and Killing in the Andean

Highlands.” Paper presented at the ‘Problems in Paradise’ invited session

sponsored by the Society for Latin American Anthropology and General

Anthropology Division at the American Anthropological Association

Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL. November.

2002 “Blood Sacrifice in the Andean Highlands.” Paper presented at the

American Anthropological Association Annual Meeting in New Orleans,

LA. November.

2002 “The Modern Day Inti Raimi Festival Among the Cotacachi Indians of

Ecuador.” Paper presented at the Southwestern Anthropological

Association Annual Meeting at the University of Northern Arizona,

Flagstaff, AZ. April.

2001 “Modern Day Blood Sacrifice in the Andes: The Inti Raimi Festival in the

Ecuadorian Highlands.” Paper presented at the Society of Social Scientists

Annual Meeting at Ave Maria College, Ann Arbor, MI. October.

2000 “The Resistance Strategies of Highland Ecuadorian Indians.”

Paper presented at the Society of Social Scientists Annual Meeting

at Franciscan University, Steubenville, OH. October.


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1999 “From Blowguns to Bibles: Assessing the Effects of Missionization in the

Ecuadorian Amazon.” Paper presented at the Society of Social Scientists

Annual Meeting at Franciscan University, Steubenville, OH. October.

1998 “Anthropologists and Physicians Working Together in Amazonia.” Paper

presented at the Southwestern Anthropological Association’s Annual

Meeting in Sacramento, CA. April.

1995 “Variation in the Dental Health of South American Indian Horticulturalists.”

Co-presented with P. Walker and L. Sugiyama at the American Association

of Physical Anthropology Annual Meeting in Oakland, CA. March.

1992 “Yora Dry Season Subsistence: Hunting, Fishing and Horticultural

Activities.” Co-presented with and L. Sugiyama at the American

Anthropological Association Annual Meeting in San Francisco, CA.

October.

1992 “Effects of Recent Contact on the Yora of the Peruvian Amazon.”

Co-presented with and L. Sugiyama at the Southwestern Anthropological

Association Annual Meeting in Berkeley, CA. April.

INVITED LECTURES/FORUMS

2018 “Secret Societies, Rock Art, Long Distance Exchange, Warfare, and Slavery

During the Scandinavian Bronze Age.” Co-presented with J. Ling and Y.

Chacon at the Underslös Museum at Tanum, Sweden. June.

2018 Recent Discoveries at Historic Brattonsville Plantation.” Co-presented with

C. Gillam. Brattonsville Plantation Historic Park, McConnells, SC. March.

2018 “Impacts of Globalization on Native Amazonian Peoples.” Department of

Sociology and Anthropology. James Madison University, Harrisonburg,

VA. March.

2018 “Leadership, Status Seeking, and Long Distance Trade: Possible Pathways

to Social Complexity.” Department of Sociology and Anthropology. James

Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. March.

2017 “Status, Long Distance Exchange, and the Rise of Social Complexity.”

Paper presented at the Department of Anthropology, National University of

Costa Rica. June.


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2017 “Understanding the Jade to Gold Transition in Prehistoric Costa Rica.”

Paper presented at the Department of Ethnography and History, National

Museum of Costa Rica. June.

2017 “Elite Agency, Long Distance Exchange, and the Rise of Social Complexity

in Prehistoric Costa Rica.” Paper presented at the National Museum of

Costa Rica. June.

2017 “The Impact of the Western World on the Native Peoples of Amazonia.”

Department of Sociology and Anthropology. James Madison University,

Harrisonburg, VA. March.

2017 “Status Attainment and Collective Action among the Western Dani of New

Guinea and Achuar of Ecuador.” Department of Sociology and

Anthropology. James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. March.

2016 “Tibenuk and Chuji: Status Attainment, Trade, and Collective Action in

Egalitarian Settings.” Co-presented with D. Hayward at the Department of

Historical Studies, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. June.

2015 “The Effects of Spanish Colonization on the Inka Empire.”

Department of Sociology and Anthropology, James Madison University,

Harrisonburg, VA. October.

2015 “Current Trends in Andean Ritual Violence Research.” Department of

Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville. October.

2015 “Colonial Continuities and Amerindians.” Department of Anthropology,

University of Florida, Gainesville. October.

2015 “Ecological Adaptations of the Inka Empire.” Senior Scholars Life Long

Learning Meeting. Queens University, Charlotte, NC. April.

2015 “Long Distance Trade Among the Chumash Indians of Southern

California.” Department of Sociology and Anthropology, James Madison

University, Harrisonburg, VA. March.

2015 “Anthropogenic Landscapes Among the Chumash Indians of Southern

California.” Department of Sociology and Anthropology, James Madison

University, Harrisonburg, VA. March.

2015 “Tribal Shamanism and the Western World.” Native American Center.

University of South Carolina, Lancaster, SC. January.


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2014 “Amerindian Hunting Magic.” Catawba Nation Annual Meeting.

Catawba Nation Long House, Rock Hill, SC November.

2014 “The Impact of Globalization on the Yanomamö of Venezuela.” Department

of Sociology and Anthropology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg,

VA. October.

2014 “Positive and Negative Aspects of Shamanism.” Department of Historical

Studies, University of Gothenburg. Gothenburg, Sweden. October.

2014 “Chumash Indian Long Distance Trade.” Department of Historical Studies,

University of Gothenburg. Gothenburg, Sweden. October.

2014 “Chaco Canyon Long Distance Trade.” Department of Historical Studies,

University of Gothenburg. Gothenburg, Sweden. October.

2014 “Amerindian Belief Systems and the New Age Movement.” Department of

Sociology Lecture Series. Queens University, Charlotte, NC. September.

2014 “The Great Awakening and the American Revolution.” Fort Mill History

Museum. Fort Mill, SC. September

2014 “Understanding Andean Ritual Violence” Sun City Continuing

Education Program. Indian Lands, SC. July

2014 “The Great Awakening and Southern Backcountry Revolutionaries.”

Colonel William Bratton Chapter, South Carolina, Sons of the American

Revolution. Museum of York County, Rock Hill, SC. April.

2014 “Shamanism: A Cross-Cultural Perspective.” Department of Anthropology

Lecture Series. University of Alaska. Anchorage, AK. March.

2014 “Contemporary Andean Ritual Violence: Male and Female Roles.”

Department of Anthropology Lecture Series. University of Alaska,

Anchorage, AK. March.

2014 “Impacts of the Western World on the Yanomamö of Venezuela.”

Department of Anthropology Lecture Series. University of Alaska.

Anchorage, AK. March.

2013 “The Ethical Ramifications of Reporting Andean Ritual Violence.”

Department of Anthropology Invited Scholar Lecture Series.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. October.


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2013 “The Ethical Ramifications of Reporting Amerindian-Induced

Environmental Degradation and Warfare.” Department of Anthropology

Invited Scholar Lecture Series. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.

October.

2013 “The Inka-Spanish Encounter.” Department of Sociology Lecture Series.

Queens University, Charlotte, NC. September.

2013 “Shamanism in the Tribal World: A Cross-Cultural Perspective.”

Current Research Series. Winthrop University, SC. September.

2013 “The Inka: Empire of the Sun.” Santa Barbara County Archaeological

Society Lecture Series. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Santa

Barbara, CA. July.

2013 “Latino Contributions to Southeastern Culture.” Ft. Mill History Museum’s

Lecture Series. Ft. Mill, SC. June.

2013 “From Influence to Power: The Path Through Chiefdoms to the State.”

Co-presented with D. Willer and Y. Chacon. Department of Sociology and

Anthropology, North Dakota State University, ND. April.

2013 “The Emergence of the Inka Empire.” Sun City Continuing Education

Program. Indian Lands, SC. January

2012 “Growing Health Concerns Among the Yanomamö of Venezuela.”

Marshall University School of Medicine Lecture Series. Marshall

University, Huntington, WV. November.

2012 “Achuar (Shiwiar) Natural Resource Utilization.” Marshall University

Anthropology Lecture Series. Marshall University, Huntington, WV.

November.

2012 “Agents of Change Among the Yanomamö of Venezuela.” Department of

Sociology Lecture Series. Queens University, Charlotte, NC. October.

2012 “Understanding Andean Ritual Violence.” Department of Sociology Lecture

Series. Queens University, Charlotte, NC. February.

2011 “Culture Change Among the Yanomamö.” Department of Sociology

Lecture Series. University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC. September.

2011 “Comparing Indigenous and Western Perspectives: An Andean Case

Study.” Department of Sociology Lecture Series. University of South

Carolina. Columbia, SC. August.


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2011 “Commentary on ‘The Nature and Culture of Birds’ by Shepard Krech.”

Invited contributor to the On the Human: National Humanities Center

Forum. <http://onthehuman.org/humannature/> April.

2011 “The Validity of Ethnohistorical Records: An Andean Case Study.”

Department of Sociology Lecture Series. University of South Carolina.

Columbia, SC. March.

2010 “The Ethics of Reporting Amerindian Overharvesting of Natural

Resources.” Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Colloquium. Santa

Barbara, CA July.

2010 “Ethical Ramifications of Reporting Amerindian Induced Environmental

Degradation: Achuar of Ecuador Case Study.” Department of Anthropology

Lecture Series. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, NV. March.

2010 “Spanish vs. Moors or Inti Raymi? Origins of Otavalo and Cotacachi

Indian Ritual Violence.” University Research Forum-Barrick Museum.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, NV. March.

2009 “Cross-Cultural Perspectives of Music.” Music and Cultural Identity

Lecture Series. Levine Museum of the New South. Charlotte, NC.

November.

2009 “When Can Leaders Act Like Rulers? Models to Answer Questions About

Chiefdomship and the Rise of the State.” Co-presented with D. Willer and

Y. Chacon. Department of Sociology, Stockholm University. May.

2006 “The Achuar of Ecuador: Challenges and Potentialities in the Modern

World.” Anthropological Research Lecture Series. University of South

Carolina, Lancaster, SC. October.

2005 “Indigenous Harvesting of Neotropical Faunal Resources.” Social Sciences

Lecture Series. Winthrop University, SC. November.

2004 “Indigenous Adaptations to the Western World in the American

Southwest.” Social Sciences Lecture Series. Winthrop University, SC.

September.

2003 “Tinku: Ritual, Blood Sacrifice and Cultural Change in the Andean

Highlands.” Anthropology Guest Lecture Series. University of South

Carolina. Columbia, SC. November.

2003 “Kuna Indian Adaptations to the Western World.” Social Sciences Lecture

Series. Winthrop University, SC. October.


18

2002 “The Inti Rami Festival and its Possible Pre-Inca Origins.” The Cotsen

Institute of Archaeology Lecture Series. University of California at Los

Angeles, CA. April.

2002 “Syncretism in the Andean Highlands: Religion and Ritual Among the

Cotacachi and Otavalo Indians of Ecuador.” Anthropology Lecture Series.

Winthrop University, SC. March.

2002 “Indigenous Peoples and the State.” Current Issues in Anthropology

Lecture Series. Department of Anthropology, North Central College.

Naperville, IL. February.

2001 “Religion and Ritual Among the Cotacachi Indians of Highland Ecuador.”

Social Science Research Lecture Series. Department of Anthropology,

El Camino College. Torrance, CA. October.

2001 “Current Health Conditions of Ecuador’s Otavalo Indians.”

Direct Relief International Meeting. Santa Barbara, CA. April.

2000 “Tradition and Change Among the Otavalo Indians of Ecuador.”

Race and Ethnicity Lecture Series. Department of Anthropology,

California State University, Dominguez Hills. Dominguez Hills,

CA. November.

2000 “Pathways of Socioeconomic Development Among Indigenous

Peoples.” Department of Anthropology, Universidad Salesiana

del Ecuador. Quito, Ecuador. June.

2000 “Amazonian Adaptations: Acculturation Among the Achuar Indians of

Ecuador.” Department of Anthropology Pontífica Universidad Católica

del Ecuador (PUCE). Quito, Ecuador. June.

1999 “Reproductive Strategies of Neotropical Rainforest Peoples.”

Human Sexuality Forum. Department of Psychology,

El Camino College. Torrance, CA. May.

1998 “Testing Optimal Foraging Theory Among the Achuar of Ecuador.”

Latinamericanists of Southern California Colloquium. Los Angeles

County Museum of Natural History. Los Angeles, CA. October

1998 “Seeking Arutam: An Achuar Rite of Passage.” Department

of Anthropology, Pontífica Universidad Católica de Ecuador

(PUCE). August.


19

1998 “Indigenous Peoples Medical Anthropology Project.” Anthropology

Colloquium. El Camino College. Torrance, CA. March.

1997 “Health Concerns Among the Achuar Indians of Ecuador.”

San Bernardino County Museum of Natural History.

San Bernardino, CA. August.

1997 “Anthropological Fieldwork Methodology.” Anthropology

Colloquium. El Camino College. Torrance, CA. January.

1996 “Blowgun Hunting Versus Hunting With Firearms: The Effects of

Shotguns on the Achuar of Ecuador.” Department of Anthropology,

Pontífica Universidad Católica de Ecuador (PUCE). Quito, Ecuador.

August.

1996 “Medical Anthropology Among Blowgun Hunters.” Marshall University

School of Medicine. Marshall University, Huntington, WV. Virginia.

April.

1996 “Impacts of the Western World on Amerindians: Comparisons Between

the Yanomamö of Venezuela and North American Indians.” San

Bernardino County Museum of Natural History. San Bernardino, CA.

February.

1996 “Seasonal Variations in Subsistence Patterns Among the Achuar of

Ecuador.” San Bernardino County Museum of Natural History.

San Bernardino, CA. January.

1995 “The Effects of the Western World on the Yanomamö of Venezuela.”

Faculty Colloquium Series, Santa Barbara College. Santa Barbara, CA.

December.

1995 “Children’s Subsistence Efforts Among the Achuar of Ecuador.”

Direct Relief International Meeting. Santa Barbara, CA. December.

1995 “Cross Cultural Communication: The Achuar of Ecuador.”

Communications 121, Interpersonal Communication, Santa Barbara

College. Santa Barbara, CA. October.

1995 “Tradition and Change Among the Achuar.” Faculty Colloquium

Santa Barbara College. Santa Barbara, CA. October.

1994 “Traditional Achuar Beliefs and Health Issues.” Hospital Voz Andes del

Oriente. Shell, Ecuador. July.


20

1994 “Village Life in Amazonia: The Achuar of Ecuador.” Direct Relief

International Meeting. Santa Barbara, CA. May.

1993 “Blowgun Hunters of the Amazon: The Achuar of Ecuador.” Lecture Series

in Anthropology. University of California, Santa Barbara. March.

1993 “The Yanomamö of Venezuela.” Santa Ynez Indian Reservation Education

Program. Santa Ynez, CA. March.

1993 “Yora Health: Effects of First Contact.” Direct Relief International

Meeting. Santa Barbara, CA. February.

1992 “Village Life in Amazonia: The Yora of Peru.” Environmental Studies

130A, Third World Environmental Prospects. University of California,

Santa Barbara. March.

1992 “Anthropological Fieldwork Methodology.” Anthropology 256, Graduate

Seminar on Theory and Method in Anthropology. University of California,

Santa Barbara. February.

1991 “Culture Change in Amazonia: The Yora of Peru.” Environmental Studies

130A, Third World Environmental Prospects. University of California,

Santa Barbara. March.

1990 “Cultural Ecology of the Yora.” Anthropology 161, Cultural Ecology.

University of California, Santa Barbara. February.

1990 “Dry Season Subsistence Strategies Among the Yora of the Peruvian

Amazon.” Lecture Series in Anthropology. University of California,

Santa Barbara. October.

1990 “Aboriginal Subsistence Strategies in the Great Basin.” Anthropology 127,

Hunter-Gatherers of the World. University of California, Santa Barbara.

January.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE AND ACTIVITIES

2016 to

present Commissioner for the Culture and Heritage Museums of York County, SC.

Responsibilities include providing oversight and guidance for this museum

consortium. Institutional goals include the preservation of the cultural,

historical and natural history heritage of York County.


21

2015 to

present Board Member on the Museum Collections Committee for the Culture and

Heritage Museums of York County, SC. Responsibilities include overseeing

the acquisition, access, conservation, deaccession and preservation of fossils

and artifacts.

2012 Advisory Committee Member for the “Rethinking Warfare” International

Conference, Fernando Pessoa University, Oporto, Portugal. November.

2011-15 Advisory Committee Member for the “Global Network for Latin American

and Caribbean Archaeology” (REGALC).

2009-15 Project Anthropologist for “The Development of the Premodern State

Interdisciplinary Research Project.” This research was conducted in

collaboration with the University of South Carolina’s Department of

Sociology. Responsibilities included cross-cultural research on

transegalitarian and chiefdom societies.

2008 to

present Project Anthropologist for the Culture & Heritage Museums of York

County, SC Interdisciplinary Research Program. Responsibilities include

research on how belief systems impact revolutionary movements cross-

culturally.

2008-15 Project Anthropologist for the “Comprehensive Health Survey of Highland

and Lowland Amerindians.” Responsibilities include designing the survey

for use in the analysis of the relationship between shamanism and modern

health care delivery systems serving indigenous populations. Program

conducted in collaboration with Dr. John Walden of Marshall University’s

School of Medicine. Huntington, West Virginia.

2003 On-Site-Director for Winthrop University’s “Anthropology of the Andean

Highlands Program.” Course taught: “Peoples of the Andean Highlands.”

Responsibilities included design and implementation of the program as

well as for the supervision of participants in Peru and Bolivia. July.

2002 to

present Organizer for the “Distinguished Scholar Guest Lecture Series” of the

Responsibilities include recruitment and organization of guest speaker

events. Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Winthrop

University, SC.


22

2000-01 Project Anthropologist for the El Camino College-Mojave National

Preserve Anthropology Project. Responsibilities included design and

implementation of the program intended to encourage students to pursue

anthropological careers in the National Park Service.

1999 On-Site-Director for the El Camino College Study Abroad Program in

Costa Rica. Course taught: “Ancient Civilizations of the Americas.”

Responsibilities included the design and implementation of the program as

well as for the supervision of participants in Costa Rica. June-July.

1998-02 Coordinator of the Anthropology Guest Lecture Series. Responsibilities

included recruitment and organization of guest speaker events. El Camino

College. Torrance, CA.

1997-99 Project Anthropologist. San Bernardino County Museum of Natural

History’s Field Program. Responsibilities included the supervision of

students and volunteers during fieldwork expeditions. Also responsible for

the recording and curation of paleontological and archaeological resources.

1993-98 Project Anthropologist for the Indigenous Peoples Medical Project:

Hospital Voz Andes del Oriente. Pastaza, Ecuador. Ethnomedical data on

native health patterns and treatment of disease was provided to hospital

personnel. The program’s goal was to foster a more culturally sensitive and

thus, a more effective health care delivery program for treating the

indigenous groups served at the health care facility.

1993 Coordinator of the “Elman Service Lecture Series.” Responsibilities

included recruitment and organization of guest speaker events. Department

of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara. Spring.

1992-93 Project Anthropologist. Peruvian Montana Research Project.

Responsibilities included the analysis and write up of fieldwork data

collected on the social and health impacts of the recently contacted Yora of

Peru. Also responsible for the supervision of undergraduate assistants who

participated in the project. University of California at Santa Barbara’s

Graduate Research Mentorship Program.

1990 United Sates Forest Service Volunteer. Archaeological fieldwork at

the headwaters of Piru Creek, CA. Responsibilities included the

excavation, recording and curation of artifacts. Los Padres National Forest,

CA. Winter.

1987 Archaeology Program Volunteer. Excavations at Murrieta Hot Springs,

CA. Responsibilities included the excavation, recording and curation of

artifacts. California State University, Fullerton. Fall.


23

1987 Aboriginal Life Skills Training Course. Activities included archival and

field research on the foraging patterns of Great Basin hunter-gatherers.

Malheur Field School, OR. Summer.

1981 Field Methods in Recording Aboriginal Rock Paintings.

Activities included mapping and recording petroglyphs and

pictographs. Extension course taken at University of California,

Los Angeles. Fall.

BOOK AND MANUSCRIPT REVIEWER

Springer: New York City, NY

University of Arizona Press: Tucson, AZ

Antiquity: Cambridge, UK

PROPOSAL AND ARTICLE REVIEWER

National Science Foundation

National Geographic Society

Journal of Ethnobiology

Conservation & Society

International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation

International Journal of Osteoarchaeology

Economic and Social Research Council

State Museum of Prehistory, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany

COMMUNITY/HUMANITARIAN SERVICE

2013 Advisory Committee Member for the “Against All Odds: Overcoming

Adversity” Program. City of Rock Hill’s Anti-Discrimination Task Force.

Rock Hill, SC. April.

2013-15 Advisory Committee Member for the Rock Hill-Fort Mill Area

Transportation Study (RFATS). Responsibilities include the drafting of an

ecologically sound transportation plan for York County, SC.

2012 Advisory Committee Member for the “Breaking Barriers: The Latin

American Experience Program”. City of Rock Hill’s Anti-Discrimination

Program. Rock Hill, SC. September.


24

2010 Advisory Committee Member for the “The Many Challenges Minorities

Face When Pursing Higher Education Program.” City of Rock Hill’s Human

Relations Committee Special Session. Rock Hill, SC. May.

2009 to

present Member of the Board of Directors overseeing the International Center of

York County (ICYC) of South Carolina. Responsibilities include the

supervising of programs aimed at improving the quality of life of York

County’s international community. ICYC’s website is:

<http://www.icycsc.org/>

2006 to

present Project Anthropologist for the Catawba-Anthropology Outreach Program.

Responsibilities include recruiting young Native Americans towards the

field of Anthropology by means of exposing participants to cutting edge

ethnographic and/or archaeological research. Program conducted in

collaboration with the Catawba Nation’s tribal historian: Dr. Brooke Bauer.

1995-15 Founder of the Alto Corrientes Health Care Fund. A nonprofit

anthropological humanitarian organization created in conjunction with the

Marshall University’s School of Medicine, West Virginia and the Hospital

Voz Andes del Oriente, Ecuador. The Fund was designed to help the

Achuar people of the Ecuadorian Amazon meet some of their health care

needs.

TELEVISION AND RADIO APPEARANCES/INTERVIEWS

2015 “The Best of Our Knowledge.” Topic covered: The Impact of the Great

Awakening in Colonial North America.” WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

http://academicminute.org/2015/11/richard-chacon-featured-on-the-best-of-

our-knowledge/ November 13, 2015.

2015 “The Great Awakening in Colonial North America.” Topic covered: How

religious revivalism fueled the American Revolution. The Academic

Minute, Inside Higher Ed.: http://academicminute.org/ October 15, 2015

2014 “Revivalism and the American Revolution.” Topic covered: The Impact of

Religious Beliefs on the American Revolution. Interview for CN2

Television of Rock Hill, SC. April 30, 2014.

2013 “Do Amerindians Live in Harmony with Nature and with Each Other?”

Interview for Charlotte View Radio. Topics covered: Amerindian patterns

of conflict and natural resource utilization. January 4, 2013.

http://www.icycsc.org/

http://academicminute.org/2015/11/richard-chacon-featured-on-the-best-of-our-knowledge/

http://academicminute.org/2015/11/richard-chacon-featured-on-the-best-of-our-knowledge/

http://academicminute.org/


25

2012 “National Race Equality Week 2012.” Topic covered: Latin American

Contributions to American Society. Interview for CN2 Television of Rock

Hill, SC. September 25, 2012.

2012 “Extreme Fighting: Tinku.” Interview for the National Geographic

Channel’s ‘Taboo’ Series. Topic covered: Contextualizing Andean Ritual

Violence. August 25, 2012.

1994 “Native Amazonians and the Western World.” Interview for “Santa Barbara

Today,” KTMS Radio. Santa Barbara, CA. April 15, 1994.

LANGUAGES

Spanish (native speaker)

Portuguese

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Anthropological Association

Society for American Archaeology

Society for the Anthropology of Lowland South America

Society for Amazonian and Andean Studies

Society of Ethnobiology

American Association of Physical Anthropologists

American Sociological Association

http://www.ethnobiology.org/

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