Internship Title: Isotopic Analysis of Human Diets in the Ancient Andes
Department: Anthropology and Heritage Studies
Mentor Name: Beth Scaffidi
Because you are what (and where) you eat, stable isotope analysis of human tissues provides a life-long dietary record. Dietary differences between individuals or communities can shed light on social organization, ritual practices, and social identities. Paleodietary reconstruction is well-established in archaeology but can also help identify the dead in medico-legal investigations. Interns will practice all phases of analysis, learning valuable wet lab and quantitative analysis skills. Students will develop a research question about one of our sample populations, identify a corresponding protocol, and analyze selected samples.
