On this episode, we have University of Toronto bioanthropologist Devin Ward. By using microCT scanning, she studies a tiny skeletal structure called the bony labyrinth located quite deep inside on either side of the skull. We also talk about her journey from undergrad intern to osteological supervisor for the Upper Sabina Tiberina Project 40 miles north of Rome, Italy. For more info: http://archandanth.com/ See the Patreon page for details on how to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/archandanthpod

Today, we welcome Amanda Rossillo (Duke University, Durham, North Carolina) to speak about her work studying the fossil hominins Homo naledi and Homo heidelbergensis. We also speak about Open Access initiatives and the importance of distributing scientific outputs online and free of cost to as many audiences as possible. For more info: http://archandanth.com/ See the Patreon page for details on how to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/archandanthpod

In this episode, we have Tina Lasisi on the show to share her research looking at the genetic and environmental factors that influence human hair variation. We discuss hair color, morphology and evolution, skin pigmentation, cultural practices that revolve around hair, and the history of the study of human variation and 'race' more broadly. For more info: http://archandanth.com/ See the Patreon page for details on how to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/archandanthpod

Today, Tom O'Mahoney takes us through his work that uses 3D imaging and printing as tools for answering many anthropological questions: What was the exact body size and mass of our hominin ancestor Australopithecus afarensis? What do we know about skeletal growth and development in our limbs? How did the pelvis evolve throughout human evolution? For more info: http://archandanth.com/ See the Patreon page for details on how to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/archandanthpod

Today, Victor Guida calls in from Rio de Janeiro. His main sites of study are sambaquis—shell middens made up of mollusc shells—and his research focus is oral health of past foraging groups. We also speak about the devastating fire that occurred in September 2018, and what listeners can do to help the National Museum raise funds for its collections. For more info: http://archandanth.com/ See the Patreon page for details on how to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/archandanthpod

Today, Cara Hirst joins us on the show to talk about the effects of agriculture on the shape of our lower jawbones (or mandibles) in archaeological Britain. Her research involved the 3D scanning of mandibles to capture their shape. This also led Cara to investigate the ethics of scanning human remains. In this episode, we also cover some 'digital dilemmas'. For more info: http://archandanth.com/ See the Patreon page for details on how to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/archandanthpod

For this episode, Omar Espinosa Severino calls in from Mexico City to share his work on the archaeological site of Chalcatzingo, the early Olmec civilization (dating roughly from as early as 1500 BCE to about 400 BCE), and Mesoamerican archaeology more broadly. For more info: http://archandanth.com/ See the Patreon page for details on how to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/archandanthpod

In this episode, Michael has the help of Todd Rae in explaining the answers to some pretty big questions: What makes a species distinct enough from another one? What animal was the earliest ancestor to all living primates today? How should we be interpreting our data and communicating our ideas regarding human evolution? For more info: http://archandanth.com/ See the Patreon page for details on how to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/archandanthpod

In this episode, Melissa Hurtado and I talk about zooarchaeology of Kodiak Island off the coast of Alaska. For more info: http://archandanth.com/ See the Patreon page for details on how to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/archandanthpod

In this episode, Annemieke Milks shares with the listeners her work in Palaeolithic archaeology and experimental archaeology. We also talk about hunter-gatherer lifestyles, human behavioural variability, her newest project looking at social learning in the BaYaka forager society, and what may have led to Neanderthal extinction. For more info: http://archandanth.com/ See the Patreon page for details on how to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/archandanthpod