Principal Investigator
Joy Tatem’s archaeological adventure began in 2009, during her high school junior year in New Hampshire. She volunteered at field schools across New Hampshire, collaborating with the NH State Conservation and Rescue Archaeology Program (NH SCRAP). Her enthusiasm for Paleo-Indian archaeology and lithic technologies led her to contribute her efforts not only in New Hampshire but also at the Gault site in Florence, Texas, and Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, Canada.
In December 2013, Joy graduated from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and dual minors in geospatial technologies and Arabic. Throughout her college years, she actively participated in the Consulting Archaeology Program, serving as a dedicated lab analyst. During the summers, she ventured into the field as a technician, continuing her commitment to hands-on archaeology.
While at UV, Joy held a significant role as a Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant, alongside Dr. Deborah Blom, a bio-archaeologist specializing in Tiwanaku culture in Bolivia. Her dedication to the field of archaeology was recognized upon graduation when she was honored with the James B. Peterson Archaeology Award, an indication of her deep respect and passion for archaeology.
Following graduation, Joy started her career as an analyst at the Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Here, she contributed to the CORONA project under the guidance of Dr. Jack Cothren and Dr. Jesse Casana, expanding her expertise in archaeology and spatial technologies.
In March 2015, Joy joined ARC as a field technician, bringing her expertise in lithics, North American Paleoindian archaeology, and Near Eastern Archaeology to the team. 
In 2018, she left ARC and enrolled at Texas State University in San Marcos Texas to pursue a Master’s degree in anthropology. For her thesis, she conducted a use-wear analysis on chipped stone tools from four sites in the Lower Pecos Canyonlands of southwest Texas, focusing largely on Late Archaic plant-processing tools. She graduated in 2021 and returned to AR Consultants, Inc. where she is now a Principal Investigator.
Reach Joy Tatem via email at: joy@arc-digs.com