Present Address:

202 W. Hermosa Dr. #D-107
Tempe, AZ 85282
Phone: (480) 415-3969
e-mail: jtmurphy@email.arizona.edu

The University of Arizona
Dept. of Anthropology
Emil W. Haury Building
PO Box 210030
Tucson, AZ 85721-0030
phone: (520) 621-2585
fax: (520) 621-2088

John T. Murphy, M.A. Ed., A.B.D.

Graduate student in Archaeology, University of Arizona. Major interests include: Applications of computers for knowledge construction in Archaeology and academia; Agent-based simulation modeling; Complexity Theory; Coupled Human-Natural Systems; Systematics. Projected Graduation Date: Spring 2007

Recent and Ongoing Research Activities

Hohokam Water Management Simulation Project under the auspices of the Global Institute of Sustainability (formerly Center for Environmental Studies/International Institute for Sustainability) at Arizona State University.  July 2003 - December 2005, with continuing research

Initial focus is the construction of a computer simulation model of water flow, nutrient transport, and agricultural productivity. Also included is a database of references and parameters from which the simulation runs will be performed. To date this work has included the construction of a simulation modeling and database framework, the reproduction of the HEC-RAS model of water flow, and extensive discussions (including a mini-workshop held March 2004) with the Hohokam researchers who hold an interest in this model. An interactive program and website to support this simulation, collect source information, and allow distribution of results, has also been created. From this basis will be constructed an agent-based model in which household-level decision making and the rise of cooperative efforts in constructing and maintaining the large-scale canal systems are explored. The model has a special collaborative focus, involving researchers from a variety of fields whose expertise directs and contributes to the simulation, which will in turn serve as a tool for their future research. Projected completion date: December 2006.

Graduate Research Assistant, Biocomplexity Project under the direction of J. Stephen Lansing, funded by the National Science Foundation.  August 2001 - May 2004 with additional work still in progress

This project explores the dynamics of genetic relatedness, ecological adaptation, and cooperation, using genetic and ethnographic data from Bali and data generated by a Lisp-based simulation written by Chris Langton. My role has been that of liaison between Dr. Langton and the rest of the team. I have created a front end interface to structure simulation input and manage simulation output and data analysis, edited and augmented the Lisp code, and contributed to the design of the simulation units and algorithm. Papers planned and currently in preparation (see below) apply this model to specific anthropological test cases using special-purpose genetic inference techniques our team has developed for analysis of STR data.. Additionally, I have written a translation of the original Lansing/Kremer model of Balinese irrigation, crop schedules, and cross-village cooperation in JavaScript, updating several new elements to the algorithm and adding to the analysis.

Educational Background

Completed Comprehensive Examinations in University of Arizona Anthropology PhD program December 2003

Complex Systems Summer School, Santa Fe Institute for the Study of Complexity. June 2003

Master of Arts, Anthropology, University of Arizona. May 2000

Specialization in Maya archaeology. MA Thesis title: Approaching Maya Polities from the Side: Models of Classic Maya Political Organization. GPA: 4.0

Awards and Activities:

Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology, Ohio State University. August 1997

Specialization in Archaeology and Archaeological Theory. Major GPA: 4.0. Degree granted summa cum laude with Honors in the Liberal Arts.

Awards and Activities:

Master of Arts in Education, Ohio State University. September 1993

Also, State of Ohio Teaching Certificate, Secondary Social Studies, Grades 7-12, Comprehensive, September 1993- 1997. Comprehensive Social Studies certification required additional coursework at the undergraduate level in the Social Sciences (Sociology, Psychology, Political Science). Program emphases included Global and Multicultural Education, cooperative learning strategies, portfolio assessment, eclectic discipline strategies.

Bachelor of Arts, History, Ohio State University. June 1991

Specialization in Ancient History; minor in History of Art. Major program focused on the Eastern Mediterranean from the Bronze Age through the Roman Republic. Honors curriculum was constructed around core courses in Western History and augmented with courses in Art History, Music History, Architecture History, and Literature.

Awards and Activities:

Publications and Professional Presentations

Murphy, John T. (2006)
"The Hohokam Water Management Simulation." Computer Simulation Session Presentation, Archaeological Sciences of the Americas Conference, Tucson, Arizona, September 2006

Murphy, John T. (2006)
"The Hohokam Water Management Simulation: A Collaborative Model for Exploring Alternative Pasts." Computer Applications in Archaeology 2006 Conference (CAA2006), Fargo, North Dakota, April 2006.

Murphy, John T. (2006)
"Relational Database Theory and Archaeology: Practical and Theoretical Synergies." Computer Applications in Archaeology 2006 Conference (CAA2006), Fargo, North Dakota, April 2006.

Pavao-Zuckerman, Barnet, Chamblee, John F., Karl, Rick J., Murphy, John T., Xia, Zhongxiang, Lange, Richard C., and Adams, E. Charles (2006)
"Enforcing the Taxonomic Hierarchy with Relational Database Models: A Case Study from Arizona (U.S.)." Poster presented at the International Council for Archaeozoology, Mexico City, Mexico, August 2006.

Murphy, John T. and Kinzig, Ann P. (2006)
"The Hohokam Water Management Simulation: Collaborative Modeling of a Complex Coupled Human/Environmental System." Poster presented at the CAP/LTER Poster Symposium, Global Institute for Sustainability, Arizona State University, January 19th 2006.

Murphy, John T., and Kinzig, Ann (2006)
"The Hohokam Water Management Simulation: A Modeling Philosophy and its Advantages." Society for American Archaeology National Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico, April 2006.

"Some Thoughts on The Hohokam Water Management Simulation and Next Generation Models." Presentation given to the Next Generation Simulations of Human-Environmental Interactions Working Group, Santa Fe Institute, University of Arizona & Arizona State University, December 12-14, 2005, Tucson, Arizona

Murphy, John T.
An Agent-Based Modelling Tutorial. URL: http://www.u.arizona.edu/~jtmurphy/H2R/main.htm.

Pepper, John, Axelrod, Robert, and Murphy, John T. (in prep)
"A model of assortment in one-dimensional continuous space" (working title)

with Watkins, Joseph, McElveen, Kathryn, and Lansing, J. S. (in prep.)
"Genetic Signatures of Kinship, Marriage, and Small-Scale Migration: Analytical and Simulation Approaches" (working title).

Bezanson, M. F., Garber, P. A., Murphy, J. T., Premo, L. S. (in review)
Patterns of subgrouping and spatial affiliation in a community of mantled howling monkeys (Alouatta palliata). To be submitted to Animal Behaviour.

Murphy, John T. (2002)
"Potential Contributions of Relational Database Theory to Archaeological Theory and Practice." Paper presented at the Society for American Archaeology National Conference, Denver, CO.

Sagebiel, Kerry L., and Murphy, John T. (2002). "A reanalysis of the use of space in Early Classic Maya tombs using Relational Database Theory." Paper presented at the Society for American Archaeology National Conference, Denver, CO.

Smith, Monica L., and Murphy, John T. (2001) "Urban Dynamics and Social Space: Recent Research at Sisupalgarh, India." Paper presented at the Society for American Archaeology National Conference, New Orleans, LA.

Grazioso, Liwy, T. Patrick Culbert, Vilma Fialko, Thomas Sever, John Murphy, and Carmen Ramos (2000) "Arqueología en el Bajo La Justa, Petén, Guatemala." Paper presented at the Symposium for Guatemalan Archaeology, Guatemala City, July 2000. Publication forthcoming.

Murphy, John T. and Richard W. Yerkes (1998) "Exploring the relationship between site size and population: a test case from central Cyprus." Paper Presented at the Society for American Archaeology 63rd National Conference, Seattle.

Field Experience

Sisupalgarh, India, Spring 2001
An initial survey project of an Early Historic (250 B.C. - 250 A.D. walled city (1.2 km sq.) on the northeast coast of India. Goals of the project include the exploration of the processes of urbanism during the Early Historic period, and of the relationship between the inhabitants of the city and the hinterlands from which they came. Project director: Monica L. Smith, University of Pittsburgh.

Proyecto Bajo la Justa, March 2000
Continuation of fieldwork from 1999 season, under direction of T. Patrick Culbert, University of Arizona.

Pajarito Trails Survey, July 1999
Survey of the northwest region of Bandelier National Monument. Purpose was to refine ways of re-locating and recording trails, many of which are known but which are currently represented only by dots on maps rather than as linear features that connect other points on the landscape. Project Director: James E. Snead, George Mason University.

Excavations at Aguateca, Guatemala, May 1999
Excavations of domestic structures with catastrophic abandonment and destruction patterns at an extensive Classic period Maya site. Field Director: Takeshi Inomata, Yale University; Daniela Triadan, Smithsonian Institute.

Proyecto Bajo la Justa, March-April 1999
Survey of Bajo la Justa, near Yaxha, Guatemala. Research focus to be on determining the extent and type of exploitation of bajos by Classic period Maya. Work included one week data processing using GIS Software at Marshall Space Flight Center (NASA), Huntsville, Alabama, Field Directors: Vilma Fialko; T. Patrick Culbert, University of Arizona; Thomas Sever, NASA.

Itzán Archaeological Project, May-June 1998
Exploration of area surrounding La Palma, Guatemala and the nearby Late Classic site of Itzán. Research focus was on using pedestrian survey in recently burned fields to locate non-mounded structures, with the intent of refining methods of demographic estimation. Further work in the area revealed and mapped other large sites, including one from the Preclassic. Director: Kevin Johnston, The Ohio State University

Athienou Archaeological Project Summer 1997 Field School
Field school experience included excavation of part of an Archaic sanctuary near Athienou, Cyprus. Work also included independent research in population estimation, informal site survey, tape-and-compass mapping of survey area, and participation in topographic mapping using a total station

University Teaching/ Lecture Experience

Agent-Based Modeling Workshop, Santa Fe Institute, University of Chicago, and Argonne National Laboratories, April 2006. "Data Collection and Data Cleaning."

Guest Lecturer, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 446/546, "Agent-Based Modeling in the Study of Complex Biological Systems," for John W. Pepper, Spring 2004 "Believing the Brochures: Bali as a Coupled Human and Natural Complex System" & "A RePast Tutorial"

Student Tutorial, Complex Systems Summer School 2003, "Human-Environment Interaction and Human Genetics: Recent Models (Agent-Based and Otherwise)."

Graduate Teaching Assistant, INDV 102 "The Many Ways of Being Human," for Dr. Trudy Griffin-Pierce. Fall 1999. Two discussion sections.

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Anthropology 110 "Popular Archaeology," for William L. Rathje, Fall 1998. Two discussion sections.

Guest Lecturer, Anthropology 553, "Mesoamerican Archaeology: The Maya"; for Brian R. McKee, Summer 2000. "Classic Maya Political Organization."

Guest Lecturer, Anthropology 198 "Freshman Seminar in Archaeology," for William L. Rathje, Fall 1999. "The Real Mesoamerican Archaeologist."

Guest Lecturer, Anthropology 315 "World Ethnography," for Shannon Sparks, Summer 1998. "Ethnohistory and Archaeology of the Inca Empire."

Guest Lecturer, Anthropology 560 "Statistic for Archaeologists," for Steven L. Kuhn, Spring 2002. "Agent-Based Simulation Modeling."

Special Skills

Other Recent Employment

Database Specialist (Prof. M. E. Morbeck, Employer) February 1998- June 2004

Compiling a unified database of primate skeletal measurements from various data sources and formats. Work included editing and restructuring data and user interfaces in Microsoft Excel to facilitate entry and use of data and connectivity with statistical software.

Database Specialist/Consultant (Prof. Christopher Tillquist, Employer) Fall 2001

Construction of a database in Microsoft Access of genetic samples, including input and output routines and simple analysis tools.

Database Specialist/Consultant (Prof. Takeshi Inomata, Employer) Fall 2001

Limited consultation on a Microsoft Access database project.

Database Specialist (Department of Anthropology, U. of Arizona) Fall 1999- current

Design and construction of a departmental information system using Microsoft Access. Capabilities include tracking financial, academic, contact, and personal information for staff, students, and faculty; inventory control. Included a web-based interface for reporting time worked.

Data Entry, AZSite Project, Arizona State Museum June 1999- August 1999

Geographically referenced database project of all archaeological sites catalogued in Arizona. Duties included data entry via keyboard and digitizer into MS-Access database and ArcView GIS system.

Assistant, Longitudinal Bone Density Study (W. A. Stini) September 1998

Assisted Dr. Stini in the collection of bone density study among elderly volunteer subjects in Sun City, Arizona. Duties included equipment set-up, operating computer-controlled bone density scanner, light data management and patient interaction.