James Turner holds Bachelor of Arts degrees from Mississippi State University in both Anthropology (with an emphasis in Archaeology) and in Philosophy (with an emphasis in Religion). He continued his education at Mississippi State University where he received a Master of Arts degree in Anthropology, further specializing in Bioarchaeology. He has worked in both academic and private settings and has conducted archaeological research throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, as well as in the Middle East and Central America. James has served in an adjunct faculty capacity at various colleges and universities, including Mississippi State University, Millsaps College, and Tulane University.