Doctoral Dissertation Research: Bioarchaeological Analyses of Adaptation

University Of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA

Investigators

Abstract

This doctoral dissertation project investigates adaptive processes in an early complex cultural contexts. Bioarchaeology, the study of human skeletal remains from archaeological sites, provides a means to uncover specific details about the lives of past populations, including their health, diet, and how ancient communities adapted to change. Beyond the training of a graduate in scientific methods of data collection and analysis, the project contributes bioarchaeological data to an open-access database, and fosters scientific collaboration. This project uses bioarchaeological, isotopic, biodistance, and paleopathological methods to reconstruct profiles, dietary patterns, and health indicators from skeletal remains. Isotopic analyses provide data about mobility and diet, while comparative analyses with collections from other sites provide a robust dataset for contextualizing the findings within regional patterns. The use of photogrammetry during fieldwork ensures the preservation of burial data, supporting viable archival practices and creating long-term digital records for future research. By integrating new datasets with existing collections, this project underscores the importance of preserving archaeological heritage while advancing understanding of culture. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.