For almost thirty years my research was archaeological in nature. I am an expert in the ancient Nasca culture of the south coast of Peru. Among the notable contributions of my archaeological career was my investigation of Cahuachi, in the Nazca Valley, which showed it to be an empty ceremonial center thereby breaking a long-standing canon of the site as urban and the capital of a prehispanic state. I also conducted an extensive survey in the Ingenio Valley, north of Nazca, finding hundreds of habitation sites, many of which were contemporary with Cahuachi. I also was able to demonstrate that Nasca people in valley settlements ascended the hillslopes of their valleys to trace the enormous figures, lines, and geometric shapes that cover the elevated plain between the Nazca and Ingenio valleys. My fieldwork extended into the Pisco Valley, to the north, where I undertook excavations aimed at clarifying the relationship of societies related to Nasca. Below you can see my books. (The “publications” page on my website includes article and book chapters).

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And with my colleague, William Isbell, I published a monumental Handbook of South American Archaeology (2008) which remains a hallmark in the field.