WMU News

Anthropologist describes high-tech approach

October 13, 1998

KALAMAZOO -- A seasoned anthropologist will share her insights on the uses of technology in her field when she visits Western Michigan University Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 19 and 20, as part of its Visiting Scholars and Artists Program.

Dr. Jane Buikstra, a distinguished professor of anthropology at the University of New Mexico, will give a public presentation on "The Skeleton Speaks: High-Tech Approaches to the Studies of Ancient Humans" at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Room 2302 of Sangren Hall. Her talk is free and open to the public.

Buikstra has been awarded numerous research grants and has conducted research in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Spain, Turkey and Honduras. Her writing credits include more than 100 books, monographs, articles, chapters and research reports that have been widely cited.

She earned a doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1972 and spent much of her career in the Chicago area, where she served as professor of anthropology at Northwestern University and later the University of Chicago before moving on to the University of New Mexico.

She is a member of more than a dozen professional organizations and has been elected as officer in many of them, including president of the American Anthropological Association and the American Association of Physical Anthropologists.

While on campus she also will speak before anthropology and history students and faculty at 3 p.m. Monday in Room 0116 of Moore Hall on the topic, "Sacred Landscapes in the North American Continent: A Case Study from Illinois." A second presentation to anthropology students, faculty and those interested in Latin America, titled "Bioarchaeology in the South Central Andes: Implications for Political Economy," is at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Room 0120 of Moore Hall.

Buikstra's visit is being coordinated by the Department of Anthropology. For more information, call 387-3969.

The Visiting Scholars and Artists Program was established in 1960 and has supported some 500 visits by scholars and artists representing more than 65 academic disciplines. The chairperson of the committee who oversees the program is Dr. James M. Hillenbrand, professor of speech pathology and audiology.

Media contact: Mark Schwerin, 616 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu


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