AnthroBiology Podcast
The AnthroBiology Podcast sits down with biological anthropologists once or twice a month to learn about what they do and why it's rad. Want to know more about our evolutionary past? Or what your bones say about you? Maybe chimps are more your speed? If it's anthropology and it's about humans, we'll cover it. Learn more at anthrobiology.com
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Dr. Samantha Yaussy - What can frailty in skeletons from medieval London teach us about health?
08/28/2025
Dr. Samantha Yaussy - What can frailty in skeletons from medieval London teach us about health?
Dr. Samantha Yaussy of James Madison University joins the show to discuss her research on the how sex, socioeconomic status, and developmental stress and the intersectionality therein might interact to affect health outcomes in the past via the lens of frailty in skeletal remains primarily from medieval London. In this episode, we talked about the skeletal markers of frailty in human remains, understanding bias in research and samples, and intersectionality. As part of this, Dr. Yaussy highlighted the morbidity-mortality paradox -- women in modern contexts typically have worse health but longer lifespans than men. However, this doesn't seem to hold true in the populations she studies, which means the past may hold clues for improving health today. ------ Note: I feel pretty bad about dunking on The Pumpkin Spice Cafe. It was fine for what it was. I normally love "junk food" books, but this one just didn't do it for me, and that's ok. If you liked it, more power to you! Books, articles, and media mentioned in this episode + helpful sites and articles: Yaussy SL, DeWitte SN. . Int J Paleopathol. 2018 Sep;22:1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2018.03.008. Epub 2018 Apr 4. PMID: 29626661. Yaussy SL, Marklein KE, DeWitte SN, Crews DE. . Sci Adv. 2024 Nov 15;10(46):eadq5703. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adq5703. Epub 2024 Nov 13. PMID: 39536101; PMCID: PMC11559611. Kulminski AM, Culminskaya IV, Ukraintseva SV, Arbeev KG, Land KC, Yashin AI. . Exp Gerontol. 2008 Dec;43(12):1052-7. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2008.09.007. Epub 2008 Sep 20. PMID: 18835429; PMCID: PMC2703431. Yaussy SL. . Am J Phys Anthropol. 2019; 170: 116-130. Yaussy SL. . Am J Biol Anthropol. 2024 Nov;185(3):e25022. doi: 10.1002/ajpa.25022. Epub 2024 Sep 8. PMID: 39245867. DeWitte SN, Yaussy SL. . Am J Phys Anthropol. 2020 Jan;171(1):164-169. doi: 10.1002/ajpa.23930. Epub 2019 Oct 6. PMID: 31587269. Biehler-Gomez L, Yaussy S, Moro C, Morandini P, Mondellini M, Petrosino D, Mattia M, Del Bo B, Cattaneo C. . Sci Rep. 2024 Sep 12;14(1):21328. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-71607-9. Erratum in: Sci Rep. 2024 Nov 11;14(1):27553. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-78532-x. PMID: 39266601; PMCID: PMC11393343. Yaussy, Samantha. (2022). . Bioarchaeology International. 10.5744/bi.2020.0028. Wood, J. W., Milner, G. R., Harpending, H. C., Weiss, K. M., Cohen, M. N., Eisenberg, L. E., ... & Wilkinson, R. G. (1992). . Current anthropology, 33(4), 343-370. Martin, D.L., Harrod, R.P, & Perez, V.R. (Eds.) (2013). Springer. Agarwal, S.C. & Glencross, B.A. (Eds.) (2011). . Wiley-Blackwell. Buikstra, J.E. (Ed.) (2019). . Academic Press. Grauer, A.L. (Ed.) (2015). . Wiley-Blackwell. Gowland RL. . Am J Phys Anthropol. 2015 Dec;158(4):530-40. doi: 10.1002/ajpa.22820. Epub 2015 Aug 26. PMID: 26767348. Temple DH. . Evol Anthropol. 2019; 28: 34–46. DeWitte SN, and Yaussy SL. 2020. Bioarchaeological applications of intersectionality. In Cheverko C, Prince-Buitenhuys J, and Hubbe M (Eds) . Abingdon, UK: Routledge. p. 45-58. Ritchie, S. (2021). . St Martins Press-3PL. Godde K, Pasillas V, Sanchez . Am J Phys Anthropol. 2020 Sep;173(1):168-178. doi: 10.1002/ajpa.24081. Epub 2020 May 29. PMID: 32472637. McCool WC, Anderson AS, Kennett DJ. . Am J Phys Anthropol. 2021; 175: 816–833. Shannon, S. (2019). . Bloomsbury Publishing. Adeyemi, T. (2018). . Henry Holt & Company. Gilmore, L. (2023). . HarperCollins. Clancy, K. (2023). . Princeton University Press.
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Dr. Habiba Chirchir - Why did humans evolve to have less robust skeletons?
07/31/2025
Dr. Habiba Chirchir - Why did humans evolve to have less robust skeletons?
Dr. Habiba Chirchir of the Ohio State University joins the show to discuss her research into the skeletal gracilization of modern humans. She's trying to understand when and why our skeletons became less robust, and whether self-domestication may have played a role. ------------------ Note: Apparently I got confused with . Both geneticists worked in the Soviet Union, but Dr. Belyayev wasn't persecuted to the same extent as Vavilov. Vavilov, who based his work on Mendelian genetics, ultimately died in prison for daring to go against Stalin's favored genetic model created by and based on Lamarckism. Also worth noting: The contributions of who worked with Dr. Belyayev and continued running the study after his death. Books, articles, and media mentioned in this episode + helpful sites and articles: Assif, L., & Chirchir, H. (2024). Trabecular bone morphology in big cats reflects the complex diversity of limb use but not home range size or daily travel distance. The Anatomical Record, 307(1), 208–222. H. Chirchir, T.L. Kivell, C.B. Ruff, J. Hublin, K.J. Carlson, B. Zipfel, & B.G. Richmond, Recent origin of low trabecular bone density in modern humans, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 112 (2) 366-371, . Chirchir H, Ruff CB, Junno J-A, and Potts R. Low trabecular bone density in recent sedentary modern humans. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2017; 162:e23138. doi:. Chirchir, H. (2019), Trabecular Bone Fraction Variation in Modern Humans, Fossil Hominins and Other Primates. Anat. Rec., 302: 288-305. H. Chirchir, T.L. Kivell, C.B. Ruff, J. Hublin, K.J. Carlson, B. Zipfel, & B.G. Richmond, Recent origin of low trabecular bone density in modern humans, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 112 (2) 366-371, (2015). Chirchir Habiba, Ruff Christopher, Helgen Kristofer M. and Potts Richard. 2022. Effects of reduced mobility on trabecular bone density in captive big catsR. Soc. Open Sci.9211345 . Chirchir H. Trabecular bone in domestic dogs and wolves: Implications for understanding human self-domestication. Anat Rec. 2021; 304: 31–41. Richmond, Brian & Green, David & Lague, Michael & Chirchir, Habiba & Behrensmeyer, Anna & Bobe, René & Bamford, Marion & Griffin, N & Gunz, Philipp & Mbua, Emma & Merritt, S & Pobiner, Briana & Kiura, Purity & Kibunjia, Mzalendo & Harris, J & Braun, David. (2020). The upper limb of Paranthropus boisei from Ileret, Kenya. Journal of Human Evolution. 141. 102727. . Perry, T.A. and Chirchir, H. (2019), Cortical and trabecular bone density distribution in primate and felid limb epiphyses. The FASEB Journal, 33: lb150-lb150. Cartwright C, Ragni A, Hublin JJ, Chirchir H. Trabecular bone volume fraction in Holocene and Late Pleistocene humans. J Hum Evol. 2024 May;190:103499. . Epub 2024 Apr 3. PMID: 38569444. Barak MM, Lieberman DE, Hublin JJ. A Wolff in sheep's clothing: trabecular bone adaptation in response to changes in joint loading orientation. Bone. 2011 Dec;49(6):1141-51. . Epub 2011 Aug 26. PMID: 21893221. Barak, Meir & Lieberman, Daniel & Hublin, Jean-Jacques. (2012). . Barak, Meir & Hublin, Jean-Jacques & Lieberman, Daniel. (2011). . Assif, L. and ChirChir, H. (2022), Trabecular bone morphology in felids reflects diversity in locomotor strategy but not home range size. The FASEB Journal, 36:. Trut, Lyudmila. . American Scientist. 1999 Mar; 8(2): 160. Elzinga DC, Kulwicki R, Iselin S, Spence L, Capaldi A. Rapid evolution of prehistoric dogs from wolves by natural and sexual selection emerges from an agent-based model. Proc Biol Sci. 2025 Feb;292(2040):20242646. . Epub 2025 Feb 12. PMID: 39933588; PMCID: PMC11813586.
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Dr. David Orton – Rats in Europe and Zooarchaeology
06/25/2025
Dr. David Orton – Rats in Europe and Zooarchaeology
Dr. David Orton of the University of York joins the show to discuss how he uses zooarchaeology (the study of animal remains in archaeological contexts) to understand the how rat and human populations interacted and affected each other over time in Europe. He gets into the spread of rats, the plague, using ancient DNA and isotopic analysis to analyze rats, and what rats can tell us about historic events. Books, articles, and media mentioned in this episode + helpful sites and articles: Eric Guiry et al., . Scientific Advancements. 10, eadm6755(2024). DOI: Yu, H., Jamieson, A., Hulme-Beaman, A. et al. . Nature Communications. 13, 2399 (2022). Jason Munshi-South et al., . Science. 385, 1292-1297. (2024). DOI: E. E. Puckett, D. Orton, J. Munshi-South, . BioEssays 2020, 42, 1900160. Guiry, E.J., Gaulton, B.C. . J Archaeol Method Theory 23, 399–426 (2016). Susat, Julian et al. . Cell Reports, Volume 35, Issue 13, 109278. Hall, A. R., Kenward, H. K., and Williams, D. . The Archaeology of York. Volume 14, Issue 3. (1980). Cornell Lab of Ornithology. . Beisaw, April. (2013). . Texas A&M University Press. O'Connor, Terry. (2008). . Texas A&M University Press. O'Connor, Terry. (2014). . Michigan State University Press. MacArthur, R.H. and E.O. Wilson. (1967). . Princeton University Press. Kalmring, Sven. (2024). . Cambridge University Press. Vinge, Vernor. (2010). . Tor Books. Larian Studios. (2023). . Chambers, Becky. (2021). . Harper Voyager Books.
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Dr. Henry Erlich - Genetic Reconstruction of the Past
05/28/2025
Dr. Henry Erlich - Genetic Reconstruction of the Past
Dr. Henry Erlich, Researcher Emeritus at Benioff UCSF Children's Hospital, joins the show to discuss his book, Genetic Reconstruction of the Past: DNA Analysis in Forensics and Human Evolution. We chatted about what it was like to pioneer PCR tests along with how PCR testing works, its applications (including medicine, understanding human evolution, and forensics), and some of the ethical dilemmas around DNA testing more generally. Books, articles, and media mentioned in this episode + helpful sites and articles: Erlich, H. (2023). . Oxford University Press. Ed. H Erlich, E Stover, TJ White. (2020). . Oxford University Press. Wulf, A. (2016). . Knopf - Vintage.
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Dr. Christopher Schmitt - Vervets and woolly monkeys
04/30/2025
Dr. Christopher Schmitt - Vervets and woolly monkeys
Dr. Christopher Schmitt of Boston University joins the show to talk about how he uses life history theory and epigenetics as a lens for his work with vervets and woolly monkeys. We also chatted about the highs of fieldwork, along with understanding how identity can affect an individual's experience of the field. Books, articles, and media mentioned in this episode + helpful sites and articles: Schmitt, C., Service, S., Jasinska, A. et al. . Int J Obes 42, 765–774 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2017.301 Carrey, N. (2011). . Stearns, S.C. (1992). . Oxford University Press. Turner, T. R., Schmitt, C. A., & Cramer, J. D. (2019). . Cambridge University Press.
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Dr. Kate Clancy - Period: The Real Story of Menstruation
03/27/2025
Dr. Kate Clancy - Period: The Real Story of Menstruation
Dr. Kate Clancy of Illinois State University Urbana-Champaign joins the show to talk about her book, Period: The Real Story of Menstruation. We touch on what periods are, why humans might menstruate, factors that affect menstruation, the study of women's health in general, and a few things to keep in when doing research. Books, articles, and media mentioned in this episode + helpful sites and articles: Clancy, K. (2023). . Princeton University Press. () Ellison, P.T. (2003). . Harvard University Press. Van Der Sijpt, E. (2018). . Vanderbilt University Press. Nguyen, M. (2024). . Duke University Press. Gladstone, M. (2012). . Tor Books.
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Dr. Rebecca Gilmour - Roman bioarchaeology
02/26/2025
Dr. Rebecca Gilmour - Roman bioarchaeology
Dr. Rebecca Gilmour of Mount Royal University talks about bones, their mechanics, and how we can use both to understand humans' lives in the past -- especially around her main focus of disability and care in ancient Rome. Books, articles, and media mentioned in this episode + helpful sites and articles: Ed. CS Hirst, RJ Gilmour, FA Cardoso, KA Plomp. (2023). . Elsevier. Gilmour, Rebecca & Plomp, Kimberly. (2022). . (OPEN ACCESS). Yearbook of Physical Anthropology. 10.1002/ajpa.24475.. Battles, Heather & Gilmour, Rebecca. (2022). . (OPEN ACCESS). 6. 23–40. 10.5744/bi.2021.0003. Gilmour, Rebecca & Brickley, Megan & Jurriaans, Erik & Prowse, Tracy. (2018). . International Journal of Paleopathology. 24. 10.1016/j.ijpp.2018.09.002.. Gilmour, Rebecca & Prowse, Tracy & Jurriaans, Erik & Brickley, Megan. (2017). . Conference presentation: American Association of Physical Anthropologists. Gilmour, Rebecca. (2017). . PhD thesis completed at McMaster University. Cunningham, C., Scheuer, L., Black, S. (2016). . Academic Press. White, T. & Folken, P. (2005). . Academic Press. Eds. Hirst, C.S., Gilmour, R.J., Cardoso, F.A. (2023). . Elsevier Science Publishing. Canci, Alessandro & Marchi, Damiano & Caramella, Davide & Sparacello, Vitale. (2024). . International journal of paleopathology. 47. 12-20. 10.1016/j.ijpp.2024.07.005. Ed. Laes, C. (2024). . Bloomsbury Acadamic. Van Pelt, S. (2022). . Ecco Press. Holmes, R. (2024). . Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster. Blum, D. (2011). . Penguin Books.
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Dr. Jesse Goliath - Forensic anthropology
01/15/2025
Dr. Jesse Goliath - Forensic anthropology
Dr. Jesse Goliath of Mississippi State University joins the show to talk about forensic anthropology, including how he ended up in forensic anthropology and how he developed the Mississippi Repository for Missing and Unidentified Persons. We also talk about the complicated relationship between race and forensic anthropology, along with the importance of bringing diverse perspectives to the field. Books, articles, and media mentioned in this episode + helpful sites and articles: Goliath, J.R., Yim, A., & Juarez, J.K. (Eds). (2024). . [Special issue]. Humans, 4(1). Hagerman, M.A. (2024). . New York University Press. Barber, W.J & Wilson-Hartgrove, J. (2024). . Liveright Publishing Corporation.
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Dr. Christine Drea – Mechanisms of female dominance (hyenas, lemurs, meerkats)
12/04/2024
Dr. Christine Drea – Mechanisms of female dominance (hyenas, lemurs, meerkats)
Dr. Christine Drea of Duke University joined the show to talk about mechanisms of female dominance, which is when females of a species are more dominant in groups than males. Dr. Drea looks at how genetics, hormones, and social dynamics interact with each other to result in female dominance in hyenas, meerkats, and lemurs. Content warning: We talk about animal genitalia and hyenas' traumatic birthing process. Books, articles, and media mentioned in this episode + helpful sites and articles: Dixons, A. (2012). . Oxford University Press. Ellison, P. (2003). . Harvard University Press. Grebe, Nicholas & Sheikh, Alizeh & Ohannessian, Laury & Drea, Christine. (2023). . Psychoneuroendocrinology. 150. 106044. 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106044. Bornbusch, Sally & Clarke, Tara & Hobilalaina, Sylvia & Reseva, Honore & LaFleur, Marni & Drea, Christine. (2022). . Scientific Reports. 12. 10.1038/s41598-022-26861-0. Drea, Christine & Grebe, Nicholas. (2022). (chapter in , ed. by Freeberg, Ridley, and d'Ettorre) Bornbusch, Sally & Greene, Lydia & Rahobilalaina, Sylvia & Calkins, Samantha & Rothman, Ryan & Clarke, Tara & LaFleur, Marni & Drea, Christine. (2022). . Animal Microbiome. 4. 10.1186/s42523-022-00176-x. Grebe, Nicholas & Sheikh, Alizeh & Drea, Christine. (2022). I. Hormones and Behavior. 139. 105108. 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105108. Drea, Christine & Davies, Charli & Greene, Lydia & Mitchell, Jessica & Blondel, Dimitri & Shearer, Caroline & Feldblum, Joseph & Dimac-Stohl, Kristin & Smyth-Kabay, Kendra & Clutton-Brock, Tim. (2021). . Nature Communications. 12. 10.1038/s41467-021-27496-x. Conley, Alan & Place, Ned & Legacki, Erin & Hammond, Geoffrey & Cunha, Gerald & Drea, Christine & Weldele, Mary & Glickman, Stephen. (2020). . Journal of Endocrinology. 247. 10.1530/JOE-20-0252. Smyth, Kendra & Caruso, Nicholas & Davies, Charli & Clutton-Brock, Tim & Drea, Christine. (2018). . Royal Society Open Science. 5. 180435. 10.1098/rsos.180435. Drea, Christine & Coscia, Elizabeth & Glickman, Stephen. (2018). . (chapter in from Academic Press, ed. Michael Skinner)
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Dr. Lauren Butaric - Sinuses
10/16/2024
Dr. Lauren Butaric - Sinuses
Dr. Lauren Butaric of University of Florida joined the show to talk about sinuses - what they are, why we have them, how they can be used in forensic contexts, and what they can tell us about people. I personally love these anatomy-based discussions. It's just so exciting to do a deep dive into these dark cavities. Here are some of the articles I found helpful while prepping for this episode: Campbell, Jessica & Butaric, Lauren. (2022). . Biology. 11. 1075. 10.3390/biology11071075. Butaric, Lauren & Campbell, Jessica & Fischer, Kristine & Garvin, Heather. (2022). . Journal of Anatomy. 241. 10.1111/joa.13687. Butaric, Lauren & Richman, Allison & Garvin, Heather. (2022). T. Biology. 11. 62. 10.3390/biology11010062. Butaric, Lauren & Nicholas, Christina & Kravchuk, Katherine & Maddux, Scott. (2021). . 305. 10.1002/ar.24760. Kim, Suhhyun & Ward, Lyndee & Butaric, Lauren & Maddux, Scott. (2021). . The Anatomical Record. 305. 10.1002/ar.24644. Books, articles, and media mentioned in this episode + helpful sites: Nestor, J. (2020). . Riverhead Books. Lieberman, D. (2011). . Harvard University Press. Jemisin, NK. (2015). . Orbit. Jordan, R. (1990-2007). . Gaby's fantasy rec: Anything by
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Dr. Gwen Robbins Schug - Bioarchaeology + anthropology in policymaking
08/01/2024
Dr. Gwen Robbins Schug - Bioarchaeology + anthropology in policymaking
Dr. Gwen Robbins Schug from the University of North Carolina - Greebsboro discusses some of the projects her lab is working on, including skeletal and dental pathology in past populations and istopic analysis of human remains. She also touches on the importance of integrating biological anthropology into climate change and global health policies. These two articles are great examples of how bio anthro could inform policymaking: G. Robbins Schug, S. E. Halcrow, . Bioarchaeol. Int. 6, 179–200 (2022). G. Robbins Schug et al., . Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 120 (2023). Honestly, we probably could have done an entire show on just one article. And I might do that in the future. For now, I encourage you to read the articles. They illustrate how answering questions about our past can help us build a better future. Books, articles, and media mentioned in this episode: G. Robbins Schug, S. E. Halcrow, . Bioarchaeol. Int. 6, 179–200 (2022). G. Robbins Schug et al., . Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 120 (2023). Grauer, A. (Ed.) (2015). . Wiley-Blackwell. Buiktra, J. (Ed.) (2019). (3rd edition). Academic Press. Resnick, D. (2001). . Saunders. Sholts, S. (2024). . MIT Press.
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Dr. Sabrina Sholts - The Human Disease: How We Create Pandemics, from Our Bodies to Our Beliefs
06/13/2024
Dr. Sabrina Sholts - The Human Disease: How We Create Pandemics, from Our Bodies to Our Beliefs
Dr. Sholts of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History joins the show to discuss her new book, The Human Disease: How We Create Pandemics, from Our Bodies to Our Beliefs. Dr. Sholts uses an anthropological lens to understand epidemics. She touches on One Health, historical and current epidemics, the role misinformation plays in the spread of disease, and science communication. Books, articles, and media mentioned in this episode: Sholts, S. (2024). . MIT Press. Lieberman. D. (2014). . Vintage Books. Garrett, L. (2020). . Picador USA. Villarosa, L. (2023). . Anchor Books. Hatzfeld, J. (2006). Picador USA. Hatzfeld, J. (2007). . Other Press. Hatzfeld, J. (2008). Serpent’s Tail. Hatzfeld, J. (2010). . St. Martin’s Press-3PL. Lachenal, G. & Thomas, G. (2023). . Autrement. St John-Mandel, E. (2015). . Vintage Books.
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Dr. Mark Griffin - Teeth in pre-contact Native American groups
06/03/2024
Dr. Mark Griffin - Teeth in pre-contact Native American groups
Dr. Griffin of San Francisco State University joins the show to discuss dental caries and toothwear in pre-contact Native American groups. Books, articles, and media mentioned in this episode: Griffin, MC. (2014). . Am J Phys Anthropol, 154(2), 171-188. Griffin, MC. (2018). . In S Chappell Hodge & KA Shuler Bioarchaeology of the American Southeast: Approaches to Bridging Health and Identity in the Past (1st ed., pp 69-91). University of Alabama Press. Ed Yong. (2016). Ecco. Kathleen McAuliffe. (2016). . Mariner Books. Clinical literature on auditory exostoses (detective drama, currently on Hulu as of June 2024) MC Beaton, (Books + TV series -- I've only read the books, but I hear the show is great) [My bad, y’all. I said the wrong URL on the show. There are like 5 sites that also do this, but this is the one I was thinking of. The clip art is perfect.] (Nun solves crimes in British countryside, currently on BritBox as of June 2024) (Priest solves crimes in British countryside, currently on BritBox as of June 2024) (Medieval monk solves crimes. Books + TV series) (Anglican vicar solves crimes. Short stories + TV series)
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Dr. Danny Wescott - Body Farm at Texas State
05/23/2024
Dr. Danny Wescott - Body Farm at Texas State
Dr. Wescott of Texas State University joins the show to discuss the Texas State body farm (Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State - FACTS) and the forensic research carried out there. Books, articles, and selected people mentioned in this episode: Haglund & Sorg, DO Carter, D Yellowlees, M Tibbett , Science of Nature 94(1), 2007 Lee Lyman, PS Barton, D Lindenmeyer, AD Manning, SA Cunningham, , Oecologia 171(4), 2012 John Currey, David Burr, C Ruff, B Holt, E Trinkaus, , Am J Phys Anthropol, 129(4), 2006 P Capodaglio, et al. Sensors (Basel), 21(21), 2021 BA Sanford, et al. 2014 Neil Shubin, Ed Yong,
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Dr. Caroline Goodson & Dr. Trent Trombley - Medieval Teeth, Part 2
04/25/2024
Dr. Caroline Goodson & Dr. Trent Trombley - Medieval Teeth, Part 2
Dr. Goodson (Cambridge University) and Dr. Trombley (Augustana University) join forces on the show to discuss their bioarchaeological-historical collaboration to understand the Medieval mouth. Books, articles, and selected people mentioned in this episode: Dr. Roberta Gilchrist, Dr. Virginia Burruss, Dr. Karl Jacoby, , University of Reading , Syracuse University , University of Colorado - Boulder Dr. Stephen Brookfield, Adrian Miller, Jim Auchmutey,
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Dr. Trent Trombley - Medieval Teeth, Part 1
03/25/2024
Dr. Trent Trombley - Medieval Teeth, Part 1
Dr. Trent Trombley of Augustana University joins the show to talk about his research at Villamagna, a medieval settlement outside of Rome. He uses macroscopic analysis of teeth along with a few other methods to understand life in the past. Links mentioned in the show:
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Dr. Clark Spencer Larsen - Using Bioarchaeology to Understand Health
02/24/2024
Dr. Clark Spencer Larsen - Using Bioarchaeology to Understand Health
Dr. Clark Spencer Larsen of Ohio State joins the show to discuss his history in the field, bioarchaeology, and how we can use biological anthropology to understand human health in the past. Links mentioned in the show: (2023 PNAS article - opens as a website) (2022 Centaurus article - PDF) (2015 Cambridge University Press book - link to Alibris) Find links to articles, books, and pics at . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology. Email the host at [email protected].
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Dr. Dan Benyshek - Placentophagy
01/03/2024
Dr. Dan Benyshek - Placentophagy
Dr. Daniel Benyshek of UNLV joins the show to discuss plancentophagy. Check out for more info on placentophagy. Note: There is a special addition at the end of this episode. Find links to articles, books, and pics at . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology. Email the host at [email protected].
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Dr. Jeremy DeSilva - Bipedalism
07/22/2023
Dr. Jeremy DeSilva - Bipedalism
Dr. Jeremy DeSilva of Dartmouth joins the show to discuss bipedalism -- why anthropologists are obsessed with it and how it might have come to be. Find links to articles, books, and pics at . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology. Email the host at [email protected].
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Ms. Rhianna Drummond-Clarke - Chimpanzees + Bipedalism
03/24/2023
Ms. Rhianna Drummond-Clarke - Chimpanzees + Bipedalism
Rhianna Drummond-Clarke, PhD candidate at the Max Planck Institute (Dept. of Human Origins), joins the show to discuss her most recent article examining how environments affect chimp locomotion. She also chat about her time in the field. See her article here: Find links to articles, books, and pics at . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology. Email the host at [email protected].
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Dr. Kirsty Graham - Bonobos + Gestural Communication
01/30/2023
Dr. Kirsty Graham - Bonobos + Gestural Communication
Dr. Kirsty Graham from the University of St. Andrews discusses how bonobos use gestures to communicate, which winds into a chat about what that means for ape communication generally -- especially humans. They also have some insights into field research. Check out the article about humans understanding nonhuman ape gestures here: Listener discretion advised: Bonobo behavior is discussed in this episode, which includes sexual habits. Find links to articles, books, and pics at . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology. Email the host at [email protected].
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Dr. James Cole - Stone Tools & Cognition
12/21/2022
Dr. James Cole - Stone Tools & Cognition
Dr. James Cole from the University of Brighton joins the show to talk about how studying stone tools can reveal insights about the evolution of cognition in humans. Along the way, we touch on brain size, theory of mind, and social groups. Find links to articles, books, and pics at . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology. Email the host at [email protected].
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Mr. Rick Coste - Evolution Talk
11/28/2022
Mr. Rick Coste - Evolution Talk
Rick Coste, host of the Evolution Talk podcast, talks about his new book () and how he became interested in science. Find links to articles, books, and pics at . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology.
/episode/index/show/anthrobiologypodcast/id/25142526
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Dr. King & Dr. Fuentes - Research Animal Welfare
11/01/2022
Dr. King & Dr. Fuentes - Research Animal Welfare
Dr. Agustin Fuentes of Princeton and Dr. Barbara King joined the show to discuss the scientific community's responsibility for animals used in research. Should it be done? Is it possible to carry out ethical research involving animals? Want to learn more? Find links to articles, books, and pics at . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology.
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Dr. Christian Crowder - Forensic Anthropology
09/23/2022
Dr. Christian Crowder - Forensic Anthropology
Dr. Christian Crowder from the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office joins the show to talk about his experiences in forensic anthropology, using histology for forensic cases, and how anthropologists are a crucial component of the response team for mass fatality events. Dr. Crowder also talks about his work on the editorial boards of peer-reviewed publications like the Journal of Forensic Anthropology. Find links to articles, books, and pics at . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology. Email the host at [email protected].
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Dr. John Lindo - Ancient DNA & Pre-Contact Groups
07/20/2022
Dr. John Lindo - Ancient DNA & Pre-Contact Groups
Dr. John Lindo of Emory talks about ancient DNA -- how it works, what you can understand from it, and why it's important. He explains how he's using ancient DNA to understand the biological diversity of pre-contact indigenous groups in the Americas. Find links to articles, books, and pics at . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology. Email the host at [email protected].
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Dr. Nicole Iturriaga - Exhuming Violent Histories
06/16/2022
Dr. Nicole Iturriaga - Exhuming Violent Histories
Dr. Nicole Iturriaga of UC - Irvine joined the show to talk about her book: . In this episode, we discuss the history of the Spanish Civil War, how forensics can help change perceptions and heal communities, and how the general public perceives forensic anthropology. Find links to articles, books, and pics at . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology. Email the host at [email protected].
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Dr. Julia Boughner - Teeth
05/18/2022
Dr. Julia Boughner - Teeth
Dr. Julia Boughner of the University of Saskatchewan talks about the evolution of human teeth. Why do adults have ~32 teeth? Are our jaws shrinking? What's the deal with wisdom teeth? Does modern dentistry change our evolutionary path? Find links to articles, books, and pics at . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology. Email the host at [email protected].
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Ms. Selina Carlhoff - Archaeogenetics
04/20/2022
Ms. Selina Carlhoff - Archaeogenetics
Ms. Selina Carlhoff, PhD candidate at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, talks about the basics of DNA, what you should know about ancient DNA, and some of the ethical complexities that come with studying prehistoric populations. She also fills us in on her " Find links to articles, books, and pics at . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology. Email the host at [email protected].
/episode/index/show/anthrobiologypodcast/id/22858376
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Dr. David Braun - Tool Use, Environmental Change, and Niche Construction
03/25/2022
Dr. David Braun - Tool Use, Environmental Change, and Niche Construction
Dr. David Braun of George Washington University's Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology in the Anthropology Department chats about the cycles of tool use and niche construction. We talk about how one affects the other and vice versa in cycles, plus the interplay of greater environmental and climate change. Dr. Braun also discusses how we can look into the near and deep past to figure out environmental change. Find links to articles, books, and pics at . Find the show on Instagram and Twitter @AnthroBiology. Email the host at [email protected].
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