Recent PhD Awarded, Anthropology
Thesis Title: Invisible Horsewomen: Horse Riding and Social Dynamics on the Steppe
About
I am a physical anthropologist with specialties in bioarchaeology, biomechanics, trauma, and the social dynamics of nomadic societies.
My dissertation focuses on identifying skeletal markers of horse riding and how the social dynamics of horse riding differed among nomadic Mongolian societies. Since horse riding is a symbol of power in these societies, the change in who is riding may mark a shift in internal power relations over time. I use changes in the robusticity of muscle markers on the skeleton to examine differences in riding styles between cultures and to identify horse riders in these past societies.
In addition to my dissertation research, I am also currently working on two other research projects: how activities performed in childhood affect skeletal morphology and if the robusticity of muscle markers can be used as an age marker.
