Marni McManus

Background

About Marni McManus

Experienced Biological Anthropologists and Archaeologist with a recent M. A. in Bioarchaeology (expected completion Spring 2024), a former M. A. in Archaeology and Prehistory, and varied experience in cultural resource management. My recent graduate education built upon a technical archaeological skillset, adding a deeper theoretical background, technical lab skills in burial analysis, skeletal data contextualization, and extensive research and writing skills, including ethnographic research, NAGPRA reports, and literature reviews. I also volunteered at the NAGPRA office on the SFSU campus. Perhaps one of the most important and rewarding experiences has been working with, learning from, and collaborating with the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe. Through my thesis work and professional employment with the Tribe, I have gained a deeper understanding of Indigenous people’s complex past and contemporary struggles, recognizing the intricate, multifaceted interface between historical literature and Indigenous-led interpretations, reinforcing the necessity of collaborative work. In the field, I have seven years of varied experience working on complex large and small-scale urban developments, performing burial and feature excavations, phase I open exposure monitoring, construction monitoring, and surveys in the San Francisco Bay Area and Ireland. As a result of this experience, I can identify, document, and mitigate impacts on cultural resources deemed significant under CEQA. I am skilled in monitoring, excavation, and data recovery from Precolonial, Spanish Colonial, Mexican Period, and Historic Period sites in California. I am experienced in ethnographic and site research, literature reviews, NAGPRA reports, burial analysis, artifact identification, site recording, wet and dry screening, flotation, curation, cataloging, database management, and collections management. I am open to roles that will utilize and further develop my research and writing skills and continue learning from and working with Indigenous communities.