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Mario Zimmermann

Headshot of Mario Zimmermann.

Visiting Assistant Clinical Professor
Phone: (208) 426-3444
Email: mariozimmermann@boisestate.edu
Office: Hemingway Building, Room 54

Biography

Mario is an archaeologist specializing in paleoethnobotany and chemical residues studies. His research focuses on foodways and ethnopharmacology and his collaborations with local stakeholders aim to transmit traditional ecological knowledge from the past and present into the future. Being originally trained as a Maya archaeologist, Mario employs microbotanical approaches to study the appearance and diversity of staple crop complexes on the Yucatan Peninsula. More specifically, he is interested in the role of root crops such as sweet potato, manioc, or arrowroot, in the subsistence of ancient Maya cities. As part of an NSF-funded interdisciplinary team, Mario is also engaged in ancient metabolomics research centered on the history of psychoactive substance use. He is tracing medicinal and ceremonial applications of plants such as tobacco and datura throughout western North America and investigates the impact of foreign drugs like cannabis and opium on new consumer populations as a result of the Columbian exchange system.

Education

Ph.D., Anthropology, Washington State University
M.S., Anthropology, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán
B.S., Archaeology, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán

Professional Interests

  • Paleoethnobotany
  • Chemical Residues
  • Foodways
  • Ethnopharmacology
  • Historical Archaeology

Courses Taught

  • Evolution and Human Behavior
  • Human, Animals, and Aliens
  • Archaeology of Climate Change
  • Historical Archaeology
  • Chemical and Microscopic Materials in Archaeology
  • Archaeology and Tourism
  • Maya Cultural History
  • Archaeological Field School