Staff

Stephen Humphreys, BA, MTh, MA, PhD, RPA
CEO
stephenhumphreys.avar@gmail.com
Stephen Humphreys was commissioned in the US Air Force following his completion of a BA in History at the University of North Texas. He served as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer, deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Following an assignment as Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at Texas A&M University, he separated in order to attend a seminary program with the intent of returning to military service as a chaplain. A trip to a dig at Tel Gezer, Israel convinced him to become an archaeologist instead.
Stephen holds a Ph.D. in archaeology from Durham University as well as an MA in Archaeology and Biblical Studies and an MA in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His academic areas of interest are charity in the Early Christian era, and health and wellness in antiquity. His doctoral thesis was on the development of ‘Holy Water’ in the Christian church between the 4th and 7th centuries (spoiler: it was for demon-killin’). He is a National Geographic Explorer and a dedicated field archaeologist with dig experience in Israel, Jordan, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Sicily, and the USA.

Mackenze Burkhart, BA, RA
Operations Manager
mackenzeburkhart.avar@gmail.com
Mackenze Burkhart has a BA in Archaeology and Anthropology from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, and completed her field school in bioarchaeology in Tuscany, Italy, through the Ohio State University and the University of Pisa. She is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree from Norwich University in History, with a concentration in public history and military history.
Her time studying bioarchaeology, specifically identifying markers of nutrition, disease, and occupation in human remains, instilled in her an interest in the evolution of public health. Mackenze brings in administrative experience in the non-profit sector, having spent five years working in her local food system as a farmer and food access advocate.
Technical Advisory Committee
American Veterans Archaeological Recovery is uniquely capable of carrying out world-class fieldwork projects that benefit our veterans due to the expertise of our Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Composed of field-leading specialists in battlefield (conflict) archaeology and excavation, public outreach, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and field safety, these individuals provide the training and guidance that allow AVAR to balance the needs of a range of archaeological missions with the wellness and development needs of our veterans.