ESP Biography

KAREN ROJAS, Archaeologist in the Making

Major: Anthropology

College/Employer: Stanford

Year of Graduation: 2026

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Karen Rojas is a Master’s student in Anthropology in the Archaeology track at Stanford University from Oakland, CA. Her research focuses on shaft-tomb figurines of West Mexico, exploring how embodiment, gender, and ritual performance are expressed through material form. She is interested in the intersection of figurine analysis and funerary practice, using critical typologies to rethink classification and representation in ancient contexts. She has participated in archaeological field projects in Mauritius and Peru, experiences that have deepened her interest in the relationships between archaeological heritage and cultural identity, as well as in colonial, historical, and community-engaged archaeology.

Past Classes

(Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

L8240: Introduction to Archaeological Practice in Splash Fall 2025 (Nov. 15 - 16, 2025)

Have you ever wondered what archaeologists do? (hint: it's not digging up dinosaurs!) In this seminar, we'll go over some fundamentals of Archaeology. What is it? What do we do? What are some of the methods we use? How does it contribute to surrounding communities as a social science? During the second half of the course, we will be conducting our own analysis of artifacts! Students will be asked to engage and complete the following tasks with their peers: drawing, measurements, description, identification, and cataloging.

L7925: History of Stanford through Archaeology in Splash Fall 2023 (Dec. 02 - 03, 2023)

We'll explore the rich history of Stanford University through the lens of archaeology. Students will be briefly introduced to the history of the land that Stanford occupies, with an emphasis on indigenous presence. We'll delve into the artifacts and material remains left behind, including objects displayed at Stanford Cantor’s Art Museum. This class offers a unique perspective on Stanford's past and introduces students to the exciting world of historical archaeology.