Blog Posts

A September 2011 Scientific American reported on a technological breakthrough that allowed anthropologists to construct fossil replicas, including extra-large versions of bones and primate skulls through 3D printing. This ability to reconstruct fossils removed concerns regarding their fragility, making them difficult to work with and study. In recent years, this 3D printing technology has been…

Trepanation, or burr holing, is an ancient practice of drilling a hole in the skull to grant access to the brain. This practice was employed in ancient times to treat head injuries, symptoms associated with illnesses like epilepsy, and mental disorders. Further, it occasionally served ritual or spiritual purposes to remove evil spirits or demons…

Archaeology is the scientific study of human history and prehistory through the excavation and analysis of artifacts, structures, and other physical remains. Written records only provide a limited perspective, which is often biased or incomplete. Archaeology allows archaeologists to uncover the secrets of ancient civilizations and provides evidence for theories about human behavior, cultural evolution,…

An assistant professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Danielle Kurin holds a BA in anthropology and Hispanic studies from Bryn Mawr and an MA and PhD in anthropology from Vanderbilt University. In addition to her academic duties, Danielle Kurin is the co-director of the Andahuaylas Bioarchaeology Project in Peru. Ms. Kurin and her…

An assistant professor at the University of California, Danielle Kurin, holds several degrees in anthropology. In addition to her work as an anthropology professor and researcher, Danielle Kurin enjoys spending time with her dog and making pottery. Handbuilding, one of the oldest known methods of making pottery, is a technique that creates forms without using…