The Arch and Anth Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Stephen Maclean (University of Edinburgh) is on the podcast to talk about his experiences of transitioning from an anatomy student to an anatomy researcher to now an anatomy lecturer, co-ordinating classes on general anatomy, human osteology and the musculoskeletal system.

How is anatomy typically taught through lectures and dissections, so that students learn the structure and function of the different body parts? What practical exercises are involved in order to train future doctors and forensic practitioners in the ways of skeletal identification? How have bones been named by anatomists in the past and how has Stephen been sharing this interesting etymological history in the field of anatomy on Twitter lately?

We also talk about Stephen's recently-completed PhD research on skeletal growth in the pelvis, specifically looking at the part of the pelvis known as the ischium forming the back and lower part of the overall hip bone. By understanding how the pelvis develops, particularly in relation to the hip joints where the pelvis meets the legs, what forensic or medical implications may there be following such research?

You can find more information in the show notes under the episode on our website.

Stephen can be found on Twitter if anyone has questions for him.

You can find Michael on Twitter and Instagram too.

The Arch and Anth Podcast is on Twitter and Instagram, and it has a Facebook page.

If you liked this episode and you want to help support the show, please leave us a review on iTunes or visit the Patreon page for details on how to give a little each month to this public anthropology and archaeology project!

Dr. Anna Goldfield (SAPIENS, The Dirt Podcast, Cosumnes River College, UC Davis) is an anthropology lecturer, zooarchaeologist, podcaster, popular science writer, enthusiast of all things human and science communicator.

On this episode, we talk about her foray so far into the world of archaeology, anthropology and online communications. Anna received her PhD from Boston University, looking at ancient animal bones and what they indicate about the diets of Neanderthals and Upper Palaeolithic modern humans. We spend some time also discussing the meaning behind our work as anthropologists, what it feels like to consider the large questions of what makes us human and how we came to be (in other words, What Does It All Mean™???)

Additionally, Anna and co-host Amber Zambelli have recorded an archaeology and anthropology podcast of their own over the past two years. Anna has also illustrated in various media, and written a number of articles for the public anthropology magazine, SAPIENS. What motivates Anna to do all of this outreach? How did she and her good friend Amber decide to create The Dirt, and how do they approach choosing what topics to cover?

You can find more information in the show notes under the episode on our website.

Anna can be found on Twitter, and her articles for SAPIENS can be found here.

The Dirt can be found on the podcast website, their online merch store and shirt store, and Patreon, as well as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Spotify, SoundCloud, Stitcher and iTunes.

You can find Michael on Twitter and Instagram too.

The Arch and Anth Podcast is on Twitter and Instagram, and it has a Facebook page.

If you liked this episode and you want to help support the show, please leave us a review on iTunes or visit the Patreon page for details on how to give a little each month to this public anthropology and archaeology project!

In this episode, Pooja Swali (The Francis Crick Institute) takes us through her research using metagenomics techniques and approaches to study ancient pathogens, with an eye towards helping to measure and control infectious disease spread.

At what point did Pooja first fall in love with archaeology, genetics and anthropology, and what was her path towards pursuing her PhD? What is metagenomics and how can we track changes in pathogen genomes through time using metagenomic methods? How do diseases like tuberculosis, leprosy and treponemal disease show up on archaeological or historical skeletons? How do genomicists sample from them to get genetic information? How easy is it to learn how to code in genomics research?

We also talk about routine and PhD life during the COVID19 pandemic. And finally, Pooja also offers her thoughts on communicating genetics and genomics information to members of other disciplines (such as archaeologists), and her experiences in public communication sharing scientific knowledge with wider audiences.

You can find more information in the show notes under the episode on our website.

You may find Pooja on Twitter or her Crick Institute page if you have any questions or feedback.

You can find Michael on Twitter and Instagram too.

The Arch and Anth Podcast is on Twitter and Instagram, and it has a Facebook page.

If you liked this episode and you want to help contribute to the show, please visit the Patreon page for details on how to do that.

For this episode, Alexandra Kralick (University of Pennsylvania) talks to us about her research looking at great ape skeletal growth and development, ideas about sex differences in humans and other primates, and the biological anthropology science communication work she does online.

What are the main differences between skeletons of the various great ape species (e.g., gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans)? What do we not yet know about the skeletal variation among the Hominidae taxon, and what role may mating systems and ape social grouping play in determining overall skeletal shape and size? What about when it comes to sex differences - is there anything we can learn from studies of primate hormonal levels? How does studying sex differences in orangutan skeletons inform upon our ideas about biological sex even in humans, and why shouldn't biological sex be viewed in a binary manner?

In celebration of the podcast's one-year anniversary, Michael also plays a fun bone-themed facts game with Alexandra. We also talk about the importance of science communication, and what else Alexandra has been doing online to share interesting knowledge with public audiences.

You can find more information in the show notes under the episode on our website.

If you have feedback or questions for Alex or want to follow her outreach online, you can find her on Twitter, as well as on TikTok @bioanthfunfacts. Her article in SAPIENS is excellent as well, entitled, "What Our Skeletons Say ABout the Sex Binary".

You can find Michael on Twitter and Instagram too.

The Arch and Anth Podcast is on Twitter and Instagram, and it has a Facebook page.

If you liked this episode and you want to help contribute to the show, please visit the Patreon page for details on how to do that.

For this edition of the podcast, Sgt. Nathan Tilton (University of California, Berkeley) is on the show to speak about his undergraduate course in anthropology, his work in disability research, and his ethnographic studies of military veteran experiences.

Nate is a Lab Manager at the UC Berkeley Disability Lab, a makerspace where disability research and human-centered design are key focus areas of work. In what ways can universal design for disabled users and publics be limited, and why is the UC Berkeley Disability Lab focusing on the idea of improving flexibility of utilities, spaces or buildings instead? What examples of designed spaces are there that highlight the importance of directly speaking to disabled folks concerning individual needs?

We also talk about Nate's experience as a military veteran, how anthropology has helped him see research potential in a wide range of topics currently and going into the future, and how being in key military positions have provided perspectives that are helpful in adopting an emic approach in ethnographic work (i.e., allowing Nate to have an 'insider's' perspective when working with other vets). Central to his work is adopting a social theory of disability approach in looking at veteran health and wellbeing, while also incorporating Marxist theory, concepts about bare life, feminist theory, and a critical examination of gender roles and family relationships.

You can find more information in the show notes under the episode on our website.

If you have feedback or questions for Nate, you can find him on Twitter. More information about the Berkeley Disability Lab can be found at their website as well.

You can find Michael on Twitter and Instagram too.

The Arch and Anth Podcast is on Twitter and Instagram, and it has a Facebook page.

If you liked this episode and you want to help contribute to the show, please visit the Patreon page for details on how to do that.

Today, Dr. Christina Cheung (Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle) is on the show to talk all about stable isotope analyses and reconstructing what subsistence strategies ancient people were using in prehistoric China, especially around the time of the Shang Dynasty (13th to 11th century BCE).

Why is the site of Yin Xu, the capital of Shang Dynasty, so important in studies of historical China? What is the story behind the 'oracle bones' and the remains of human sacrificial victims found at this site? By sampling human and animal bone collagen to investigate stable isotope patterns, what have Chris and her colleagues discovered about who these sacrificial victims were? In order to use these biomolecular methods to understand past foodways and social dynamics, what samples are needed from a human skeleton and how does sampling from different bones influence what we know about a deceased individual's diet?

Also, what was Chris's journey into working in these areas of archaeological science? How does the site of Yin Xu, and the palaeodiets of Shang Dynasty residents and immigrants, fit into broader narratives concerning pastoralist and agricultural lifestyles throughout time and geography in China? How can this research be relevant to understanding the impacts of sudden climate change on food consumption patterns in the future?

You can find more information in the show notes under the episode on our website.

If you have feedback or questions for Chris, she is contactable via Twitter.

You can also read her two SAPIENS articles, one on the oracles bones and sacrifical victims of Yin Xu, and the other on the transition from millet-farming to wheat reliance in ancient China. All of Chris's research is available on ResearchGate and Google Scholar.

You can find Michael on Twitter and Instagram too.

The Arch and Anth Podcast is on Twitter and Instagram, and it has a Facebook page.

If you liked this episode and you want to help contribute to the show, please visit the Patreon page for details on how to do that.

In this episode, Dr. Robert O'Malley (American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS) introduces us to his work as Project Director for the AAAS's Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion program (DoSER). How can scientific research and findings be communicated to diverse audiences, including leaders and members of faith communities?

Rob began his work as a scientist in evolutionary biology, behavioral primatology and biological anthropology. Since joining AAAS, he and his colleagues have facilitated conversations and collaborations between religious and scientific communities. At panels, talks, sessions, and discussions taking place in various places of worship, they have been able to help ensure scientific knowledge and research are well-represented when diverse publics hold conversations about science, technology, current issues and society.

You can find more information in the show notes under the episode on our website.

If you have feedback or questions for Rob, you can find him on Twitter. DoSER, which Rob is Project Director for, specifically can be found on Twitter and on their website. The AAAS has a website you may check out too.

You can find Michael on Twitter and Instagram.

The Arch and Anth Podcast is on Twitter and Instagram, and it has a Facebook page.

If you liked this episode and you want to help contribute to the show, please visit the Patreon page for details on how to do that.

On this episode of the Arch and Anth Podcast, Chanelle Zaphiropoulos (University of Malta) talks about her work in maritime archaeology, scuba diving to the seabed to observe and take measurements concerning the marine environment around historical watercrafts.

What sorts of physical training can help divers control their breath, muscle strength and swimming proficiency in the water? What are the advantages for maritime archaeologists to have diving experience, allowing them to study maritime archaeology directly as opposed to waiting on the shore/boat for professional divers to collect data indirectly? How does Chanelle merge ecological ideas with archaeological ones, and what benefits does this combination provide when we think about conservation and preservation in either field?

We also talk about working as an archaeologist in Canada, where Chanelle is currently, and the beautiful, multicultural environment and study opportunities for aspiring maritime archaeologists provided in Malta. We talk about the problem of underwater looting of artifacts found in the Mediterranean and the ethics surrounding how the living engage with the remains of historical peoples. Finally, Chanelle talks about some of the challenges she's faced in the field as one of only a few scholars who intersects maritime archaeology with ecology.

You can find more information in the show notes under the episode on our website.

If you have feedback or questions, you can find Chanelle on Twitter and Instagram.

You can find Michael on Twitter and Instagram.

The Arch and Anth Podcast is on Twitter and Instagram, and it has a Facebook page.

If you liked this episode and you want to help contribute to the show, please visit the Patreon page for details on how to do that.

For this episode, Dr. Sabah Ul-Hasan (Scripps Research) takes us through their work in bioinformatics, venom microbiology and data science and education.

How does Sabah see bioinformatics research influencing and benefiting our daily life and how the natural or human world operates around us? What are examples of evolutionary, ecological and biological questions we can answer through a big data approach and analysis? What was their first experience in computational biology, and how did they get started looking at the Californian cone snail morphologically and the microbes in the venom glands of these gastropods?

We also talk about the coronavirus pandemic and how crucial it is that Scripps and other research institutions work on improving data literacy. This is to fight misinformation and to give public audiences the tools they need to understand what data mean and do not indicate, which, in these times, is so important.

You can find more information in the show notes under the episode on our website.

Sabah can be found on Twitter if you have any questions or feedback.

You can find Michael on Twitter and Instagram.

The Arch and Anth Podcast is on Twitter and Instagram, and it has a Facebook page.

If you liked this episode and you want to help contribute to the show, please visit the Patreon page for details on how to do that.

In this episode, An-Di Yim (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) talks to us about his PhD research looking into the various environmental and genetic factors that contribute to skeletal growth and skeletal form before human adulthood.

What is the 'population genetics' approach and how can anthropologists use it to quantify the degrees to which various evolutionary influences affect skeletal growth? Why do some children and teenagers have shorter or longer limbs than others across the world, and do juvenile skeletons globally exhibit these trends right from birth? How does An-Di combine data from forensic samples, genome databases, and archaeological material from different world populations, in his analyses?

We also talk about teaching biological anthropology, as well An-Di's previous work interning and going out into the field practicing forensic anthropology in real-world situations. Being both from East Asia, Michael shares his impressions of biological anthropology in Hong Kong, while An-Di talks about Taiwanese anthropology, both with an eye of improving the representation of East and Southeast Asian sketal samples in future anthropological work.

You can find more information in the show notes under the episode on our website.

If you have feedback or questions for An-Di, you can find him on Twitter and on his website.

You can find Michael on Twitter and Instagram too.

The Arch and Anth Podcast is on Twitter and Instagram, and it has a Facebook page.

If you liked this episode and you want to help contribute to the show, please visit the Patreon page for details on how to do that.