Osteology at Penn State
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The skeleton holds us together and is also the trait preserved in the fossil record, as well as being important in forensic studies. Skeletal biology provides information about our shallow history and evolutionary past as well.
RESEARCH EMPHASES
Archaeological Populations: The age and sex of skeletons as well as pathological lesions and trauma are used to characterize life in the past and to identify long-term trends in population structure and disease. DEMOGRAPHY AND POPULATION STUDIES
Paleoanthropology: Fossil remains are studied from comparative and paleontological perspectives to further our understanding of hominid evolution and behavior, especially in terms of diet and locomotion. PALEOANTHROPOLOGY
Morphometrics: Quantitative analyses of size and shape are used in research focusing on normal skeletal development as well as craniofacial developmental disease. This research employs state-of-the-art computer facilities, often in conjunction with The Center for Quantitative Imaging. DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
Training: Students have access to fully equipped laboratories and computer facilities dedicated to the study of fossil hominids, archaeological skeletons, and modern people.
DEPARTMENT ANTHROPOLOGISTS
George R. Milner, Professor, Archaeological skeletons
Joan Richtsmeier, Professor, Modern skeletons
Alan Walker, Evan Pugh Professor (National Academy of Sciences, Royal Society, MacArthur Award), Fossil hominids
DEPARTMENTAL FACILITIES AND FIELD SCHOOL
Students regularly participate in laboratory and field-based research on individual projects and in shared facilities such as the department's Geographic Information System (GIS) facility.
Bioarchaeology: For analyses of human skeletal remains and archaeological materials from the American Midwest and Southeast.
GIS Facility: For computer-based spatial analyses of cultural and ecological data.
Mesoamerica: For analyses of lithic technology, use wear, petrographics, and spatial analysis (GIS)
Copan archaeology: For analysis of a huge spatial data base acquired since 1980.
North America: For analyses of archaeological materials from the American Northeast.
Paleoethnobotany: For analyses of plant remains in various preservation states and forms, with emphasis on the Neotropics and southeastern North America
Matson Museum: For training in collections management and exhibit design
Other University Facilities and Programs
Breazeale Nuclear Reactor
Center for Quantitative Imaging
Forensic Science Program
Institutes of the Environment
Materials Research Institute
COURSES
ANTH 401 Human Evolution: The Material Evidence
ANTH 410 Osteology
ANTH 411 Skeletal Forensic Anthropology
ANTH 463 Quantiative Analysis of Morphological Data
ANTH 466 The Skull
ANTH 501 Human Evolution: The Material Evidence
GRADUATE APPLICATION AND UNDERGRADUATE REGISTRATION INFORMATION
LINKS
Population Research Institute
Anthropology/Demography Dual-Degree Program
