Mentor Areas
I work on how animals have been key as food, assistants, and companions for humans. This work can include cases when humans and animals reflect their changing shared ecology upon climate and habitat change. I am working on prehistoric animal use in South America and Central Asia, and am also active on several projects in North America on animal use in historic times. The research process includes processing and identifying the remains, recording biological and cultural traces, and interpretation of assemblages. While relying on biological features, the questions addressed are primarily cultural and anthropological.
Description:
Research in the Center for the Analysis of Ancient Materials takes place in the Zooarchaeology Lab in the Penn Museum. Undergraduates could be involved in several projects related to animal use in prehistoric Latin America and North America. For students with specific background, projects could lead to thesis projects in Anthropology, Classics, or Biology.
Preferred Qualifications
This work involves care and the ability to maintain detailed and accurate records. Students with a background in archaeology, ancient studies, or paleontology should consider applying. Coursework in the Center for Analysis of Archaeological materials (CAAM), particularly ANTH 267, and ANTH 415 is highly desirable. Facility with basic laboratory equipment and simple data management would be useful.
Project Website
Learn more about the researcher and/or the project here. Center for the Analysis of Archaeological Materials
Details:
Preferred Student Year
Second-Year, Junior, Senior
Academic Term
Fall, Spring, Summer
I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).Volunteer
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
No
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
No
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.