Dr. Brent Leftwich, RPA

Dr.  Brent Leftwich has over 22 years of experience in archaeology, including 16 years working in California. For the past 6 years, he has served as the Owner and Principal Investigator for Leftwich Archaeology, a sole-proprietor cultural resource management business. He is well versed in NEPA and CEQA projects (EISs, EIRs, EAs); federal, state, and local mitigation programs; Section 106 compliance; CalTrans formats (HPSR, ASR); and siting studies. Dr. Leftwich also has considerable experience working with the oil and gas industry as well renewable energy projects. He has worked on over 200 archaeological projects and authored or contributed to over 150 reports, articles, and technical papers.

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Dr. Leftwich has worked extensively across California, as well as the Great Basin, Rocky Mountains, and the U.S. Southeast. Previous agency experience includes the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, CalTrans, U.S. Military, California State Parks, California Integrated Waste Management Board, and the California Energy Commission. He has managed a wide range of projects, from large-scale energy and transportation developments to small, homeowner permitting. These include Phase I surveys, Phase II evaluations, and Phase III data recovery projects. Further, Dr. Leftwich has extensive experience in technical writing, editing and quality control, and regularly shares his expertise through subcontracts with larger firms.

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Dr. Leftwich is on the Register of Professional Archaeologists, and obtained his B.A. from the University of North Carolina and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He has technical expertise in lithic and groundstone analysis, GIS, and spatial analysis. Dr. Leftwich specializes in using evolutionary models and behavioral ecology to better understand prehistoric decision making and produce an archaeological narrative. Finally, he maintains professionalism through multiple peer-reviewed publications, conference presentation, guest and public lectures, and public outreach.

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