Christy A. Caine was born on March 19, 1944 in Brainerd, Minnesota. She received her undergraduate degree from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her Master of Arts thesis is "The Archeology of the Snake River Region in Minnesota" from the University of Minnesota in 1969. Her Ph. D. was granted in 1983; her dissertation is titled, "Normative Typological and Systemic Stylistic Approaches to the Analysis of North Central Minnesota Ceramics." In her career she began teaching anthropology at Normandale College, and St. Mary's College in Nova Scotia, Canada. She was the State Archeologist for Minnesota for 14 years from 1978 to 1992 following Elden Johnson. During the years of 1980 to 1991 she was a Forest Archeologist for the U.S.D.A. She as been a Visiting Professor at the University of Minnesota and has been an instructor in Anthropology at Hamline University. Her specialization is in North American archaeology and anthropology with an emphasis on Great Lakes Native American history and pre-contact ceramic analysis.
Her experience of over thirty years has involved reconnaissance survey, site evaluation, and full-scale excavation. She has been the principal Investigator or Project Supervisor on over 45 survey projects, 10 major inventories involving archival research, 25 minor excavations and/or intensive testing projects, and seven major excavations, and survey and authentication of more than 100 Native American and Euro-American burial sites. Christy has also surveyed and authenticated more than 100 Native American and Euro-American burial sites. Her experience also includes the planning and execution of data gathering for purposes of defining Native American traditional use areas and sacred sites.
Christy has taught field schools in archaeology for the University of Minnesota and conservation techniques. The classes which she teaches for Hamline University include both archaeology and Anishinabe culture . Christy has also taught para-professional classes for the Council of Minnesota Archeology. Her laboratory experience began in 1965 and specializes in analysis of Native American ceramics and their restoration and conservation.
She was instrumental in the development of Minnesota State Statute 307.08 , the Private Cemeteries Act, which protects "all human burials or human skeletal remains" in public or private cemeteries or in an "authenticated and identified Indian burial ground". She is experienced in the implementation of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. She has served as a "facilitator" between many constituencies which have included Native Americans, developers, private landowners, and professional and amateur archaeologists. During Christy's career she has received many awards and honors due to her work in both archaeology and the development and preservation of cultural resources. Her work has been recognized and by both state and federal governments and also the American Indian culture.
Her professional credits stand for themselves. Christy's beliefs and goals are what bring archeology alive. "Archeology is very sterile if you forget that it's people you are studying, not objects." This is supported by her belief that you cannot interpret the field data if you do not understand the culture. When asked what she views as her greatest contribution to archaeology, "Bringing Native Americans into closer contact with archaeologists and archaeology and assisting in their involvement with decision-making concerning both cemeteries (human remains) and non-burial sites." Her involvement with the human rights issue of reburial has reflected her understanding of the American Indian culture and her goal of moving archeology to a better relationship with the people whose history is being studied.
1. "Occasional Publications In Minnesota Anthropology" Minnesota Archeological Society. 1978. Ft. Snelling, St. Paul, MN.
2. Christy Hohman-Caine. Resume .
3. Ibid.
4. Christy Hohman-Caine E-mail.
Written by: Students in an Introduction to Anthropology Class, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minnesota 2002