Faunal Analysis Laboratory
Director: Dr. Chrissina Burke
Location: Room 163
Zooarchaeology, the analysis and interpretation of animal bones from archaeology sites, examines human animal interactions through time and space. Not only do humans use animals for subsistence means, we also view them emotionally and spiritually. This is a space for research tied to these pursuits with a focus primarily on faunal assemblages from the American Southwest.
We seek to explore questions tied to site formation processes, human environmental interactions, butchery processes, and animal importance outside of food. Students engage in active research with local archaeologists to employ the lab’s comparative collection for their analysis and applied work of cultural resource management.
The lab provides:
- a substantial comparative collection of fauna from the western United States and Central America, as well as examples of taphonomic processes and archaeological assemblages
- a secure place for storage and study of faunal materials on loan from museums around the country
- teaching and training space for graduate and undergraduate student projects in anthropology and quaternary studies