In a recent post on the HRAF homepage, Director of Membership and Outreach Matthew Longcore, Ph.D.

describes Teaching with eHRAF Archaeology.

In addition to working for HRAF, Professor Longcore teaches as an adjunct faculty member in the Anthropology Department at the University of Connecticut. Over the past several years, he has taught an introductory undergraduate course in archaeology. He has found that using eHRAF in the classroom is an ideal way to increase student engagement. Students enjoy learning about archaeological traditions using eHRAF Archaeology. The eHRAF Workbooks created by HRAF staff are visually appealing, easy to follow, and helpful for learning how to navigate the database.

The introductory course provides a general introduction to archaeology and is considered a first year, or freshman level, course with no prerequisites. The course covers current issues, methods, and techniques in the field of archaeology. Additionally, it offers a survey of important discoveries in archaeology spanning the whole of human prehistory across the globe. Similar introductory courses in archaeology are taught at colleges and universities around the world. For those interested in learning more, the syllabus for this course is available to view and download in Teaching eHRAF.

Learn more about Teaching with eHRAF Archaeology

HRAF Global Scholar Dr. Abdul Razaque Channa is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Sindh in Jamshoro, Pakistan. He holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the Australian National University, where his dissertation, titled "Schooling Gender in Rural Pakistan: An Ethnographic Study of the Primary School and its Role in Gender Construction," critically examined the intersections of education, gender, and state policy in rural Sindh. This research offers a nuanced analysis of teaching pedagogies, curriculum development, and state education policies while highlighting their implications for gender dynamics and identity formation.

As a HRAF Global Scholar, Dr. Channa integrates eHRAF World Cultures and eHRAF Archaeology into his teaching and research. He guides students through their final semester, focusing on research methodologies such as proposal writing, fieldwork, and thesis development while expanding their exposure to cross-cultural ethnographic resources and understanding of global cultures. He describes eHRAF as an "invaluable resource" that enhances his scholarship and student learning at the University of Sindh.

HRAF is honored to feature Dr. Abdul Razaque Channa as one of our HRAF Global Scholars for 2025. We wish him continued success with his research.

Click here to read about Dr. Abdul Razaque Channa

Explaining Human Culture (EHC) is a database produced by HRAF which summarizes the results of over a century of cross-cultural research. EHC provides a way for researchers to uncover the tentative answers from over 1250 cross-cultural studies by searching for topics of interest. The database also includes 

topical summaries of what we have learned from cross-cultural research, or more precisely, what we think we know, and to point out some of the things we do not yet know.

The topical summary on Hunter-Gatherers (Foragers) has long been one of the most popular resources on the HRAF website. Over the years, it has been revised and updated. Most recently, a new version was published by HRAF President Carol R. Ember, Ph.D. with assistance from Jacqueline Heitmann and

Sebastian Wang Gaouette, our two current Melvin Ember Interns.

The hunter-gatherer way of life is of major interest to anthropologists because dependence on wild food resources was the way humans acquired food for the vast stretch of human history. Cross-cultural researchers focus on studying patterns across societies and try to answer questions such as: What are recent hunter-gatherers generally like? How do they differ from food producers? How do hunter-gatherer societies vary and what may explain their variability? Research on hunter-gatherers continues to be of major interest to anthropologists and other social scientists. We have updated and revised this summary with more recent research.

Click here for the topical summary on Hunter-Gatherers

HRAF is excited to introduce two new staff members who recently joined our team. Please join us in welcoming Christina Bird, our new Membership Assistant, and Andrea Knies, our new Document Imaging Assistant.

Christina is an undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut with a strong interest in the social sciences. She has studied anthropology, archaeology, psychology, sociology, geography, and political science. At HRAF, Christina plays a key role in supporting membership retention and growth. Her responsibilities include assisting the membership team, managing written communication with internal and external contacts, maintaining reports, and performing data entry. Christina also contributes to outreach initiatives and helps prepare and publish our monthly newsletter.

Originally from Germany, Andrea has a background in early childhood education and psychology. Since moving to New Haven in 2012, she has continued her passion for learning by acquiring new languages and data analysis skills, including R and SQL. At HRAF, Andrea supports the production of the eHRAF databases by preparing and processing documents for digitization. Her work ensures that ethnographic and archaeological materials are accurately scanned, organized, and ready for online publication.

We are thrilled to have Christina and Andrea on board and look forward to their contributions to the HRAF mission.

Click here to see the HRAF staff biographies