Digging Deeper: Karen Lupo's Journey Through the Past
March 19, 2025 | By: Myalinda G. Martinez
Anthropological archaeologist and 51做厙 professor Dr. Karen Lupo has spent her career uncovering the past to better understand the present and future. Her passion for anthropology began in childhood, sparked by hikes through Southern Utah, where she explored Anasazi and Fremont sites. She quickly realized, “Those who do not know the past will not understand the present or future.”
Dr. Lupo’s research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, National Geographic Society, and other prestigious organizations, with her work appearing in leading journals such as the Journal of Human Evolution, Journal of Archaeological Science, and American Antiquity.
Dr. Karen Lupo
As a first-generation college graduate from a working-class background, Dr. Lupo encountered skepticism about her career path. Entering a male dominated field posed additional challenges, often being the only woman on field crews or in faculty departments. “I had to overcome established expectations about physical and intellectual limitations, but I have found that defying these expectations can be very rewarding.”
Her groundbreaking research in the Central African Republic has redefined what we know about early human life in the rainforest. Since 2005, her fieldwork has uncovered evidence of human occupation well before 2,000 years ago, including the oldest known iron-working site (2,500 years old) and signs of precolonial deforestation. Her discoveries at the Nangara Komba Rockshelter have challenged long-held assumptions about rainforest hunter-gatherers, proving their presence in the region for over 7,000 years.
Dr. Lupo giving a lecture in Bangui in January 2025
Beyond her research, Dr. Lupo’s mentorship has paved the way for the next generation of archaeologists. She has supported international students facing economic and language barriers, including L. Nguerede and H. Zana from the Central African Republic, who are now pursuing Ph.D.s at the University of Ghent—set to become the first archaeologists in their country with doctoral degrees.
Dr. Lupo speaking with colleagues in Inongo, Congo in 2016
Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Lupo offers this advice: “Don’t let anyone define you but you. Take more calculated risks and don’t be afraid to break some rules.”
Read more about Dr. Lupo's research in her 2022 article, .