Welcome to the web page of Bill Wrigley, a graduate student in The Department of Anthropology at The University of Toronto.

I am a second-year PhD student doing research regarding the Iroquoian longhouse under the direction of Professor David Smith. What did these houses really look like? How did the Iroquoian people build them? Does the historical and archaeological record tell an accurate story? If you want to know more about this topic, see The Iroquoian longhouse.

By using structural engineering technology, perhaps we can learn a lot more about these unique structural marvels. In addition to experimental archaeology where I will test longhouse components, models, and even actual full size reproductions, I am using structural engineering programs of analyses on my computer to find out. These tests and computer programs examine the stresses and strains that longhouses undergo when subjected to wind, rain, snow, earthquake and other loads that threaten their strength. If you are interested in my research and want to know more, see My Research Proposal.

My past and present studies span math, physics, structural engineering, archaeology, social and cultural anthropology, and aboriginal studies. If you want to know more about my credentials and experience, see My Curriculum Vitae.

For my present classroom activity, see Bill as a Teaching Assistant.

My computer software allows me to work with computer designs of structures, which in my case is the Iroquoian longhouse. You could try your hand at designing structures too. Would you like to try designing highway bridges using your computer in a similar manner to the one that I use? You do not have to be an engineer to do so. It is simple. It is easy. Most important, it is free. Just download West Point Bridge Designer 2003.

Who is Bill Wrigley? Is it true that he is a septuagenarian? What is his life all about? To learn more, see My Lighter Side.

To contact Bill Wrigley, email bill.wrigley@utoronto.ca

Tuesday, November 15, 2005