Michael is a permit holding archaeologist who has over 25 years of experience in the historic resource management and heritage resource consulting field. Mr. Turney has directed or played a supervisory role in more than 160 archaeological investigations within Alberta alone, and he has authored numerous historic resource overviews, impact assessments, and mitigation reports for other jurisdictions. Michael has extensive expertise in numerous facets of precontact archaeology (both survey and mitigative excavation), with expertise in lithic technology, lithic debitage analysis, quarry sites, and rock art. Michael is also no stranger to contact period archaeology, having a depth of experience in fur trade, military, industrial (historic logging, coal mining, railway, and ranching facilities) and historic domestic categories. He has managed development-related projects requiring historic resource programs for a variety of projects in the urban, mining, forestry, power, oil and gas, and oil sands sectors. He has also managed large crews and interacted with development proponents, local First Nations, and both federal and provincial regulatory agencies.
Besides his extensive background in the archaeology of Alberta’s plains, forests and mountains, Mr. Turney’s past work experience includes archaeological investigations in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Northern Ontario, the Northwest Territories, Idaho, Missouri, Panama, and numerous islands in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean. With a broad base of knowledge spanning ancient prehistoric technology, early Euro Canadian culture material, and the historic built environment; and past work experience in both academic and consulting worlds, Michael has the skills to meet the needs of both industry and regulators alike.
When not actively pursuing his career in archaeology, you will likely find Michael hiking, practicing an ancient skill, or reading for pleasure.
Academic Degrees: M.A. (Archaeology) University of Calgary, 2002; B.Sc. (Geography) University of Calgary, 1997; B.Sc. (Archaeology) University of Calgary, 1994.
Membership in Professional Associations: Association of Consulting Archaeologists (Alberta), Archaeological Society of Alberta, Plains Anthropological Society, Canadian Archaeological Association.