Sheila Charles

Background

About Sheila Charles

As a Cultural Resources Program Specialist, I undertake cultural resources review of proposed transportation projects at the New Hampshire Department of Transportation Bureau of Environment. I am also an independent archaeologist and historian specializing in New England history, environmental review, cultural resource management and archaeological education. My other roles include Curator (and former President) of the New Hampshire Archaeological Society and Co-coordinator of Project Archaeology. I hold a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Anthropology from California State University Northridge. Over the last forty years, I have conducted archaeological research in projects across North America, from California, to Ohio, and the New England States. I have played integral roles as a principal investigator, historic sites archaeologist, historian, archaeological laboratory supervisor, and cultural resource manager and authored over 75 archeological reports and articles. The projects have included historic and archaeological research for Section 106 reviews, National Register nominations and research purposes. My professional skills include field surveys and excavation, archival research, oral history, artifact curation and analysis, and cultural resource management planning. In addition, I am certified as an Archaeological Educational Facilitator and thoroughly enjoy teaching, lecturing, teacher's workshops, and educational enrichment projects. I have developed and supervised several successful student enrichment archaeological summer programs in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont, which are considered models for multi-age, interdisciplinary, community based learning. Several of these programs won awards, including the USDA Forest Service "Windows on the Past" Award for Excellence; and Project Archaeology which won the 2011 US Department of the Interior’s Partners in Conservation Award.