Clark Spencer Larsen
Distinguished Professor of Social and Behavioral
Sciences and Chair
Contact Information
Dr. Clark Spencer Larsen
Department of Anthropology
The Ohio State University
4034 Smith Laboratory
174 W. 18th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
614.292.4149 (tel)
614.292-4155 (fax)
larsen.53@osu.edu
Curriculum Vitae
(pdf)
Research Interests
Research Background
My
primary interest is in the history of the human condition, viewed
from the perspective of health, quality of life, adaptation, and
lifestyle during the last 10,000 years of human evolution. I have
spent most of my professional career directing the La Florida
Bioarchaeology Project, involving the collaboration of scientists
from the United States and elsewhere. The research focuses on the
consequences of major adaptive shifts in coastal and terrestrial
settings on the southeastern U.S. Atlantic coast. Methods of
analysis include biomechanics, paleopathology, dietary
reconstruction (stable isotope analysis, tooth microwear). A popular
account of the project is presented in Skeletons in our Closet:
Revealing our Past Through Bioarchaeology (Princeton University
Press, 2000) and research results in Bioarchaeology of Spanish
Florida: The Impact of Colonialism (University Press of Florida,
2001). In collaboration with Richard Steckel and Paul Sciulli, I
co-direct the Global History of Health Project, involving the
collaboration of scientists and study of skeletons from Europe,
Asia, Africa, and Australia. Our current focus is Europe, where we
are developing a database with physical anthropologists across the
continent. Preliminary results on the study of 18,000 skeletons
reveals significant changes in health and lifestyle. Since 2002, I
have been collaborating with Simon Hillson (University College
London) on the study of human remains from Çatalhöyük, Turkey. This
enormous Neolithic site provides an ideal opportunity to test
hypotheses about the impact of urbanization and increased commitment
to agriculture on health and quality of life. The project is a part
of a massive international research program directed by Ian Hodder
(Stanford University).
Teaching Schedule
| Autumn 2012 |
5610
- Bioarchaeology |
|
|
Current Grad Students
Barbara Betz
Zac Hubbell
Randee Hunter
Julie Margolis
(co-advisor)
Kathryn Marklein
Selin Nugent
Leigh Oldershaw (co-adviser)
Brian Padgett
Brian Robbins
Joshua Sadvari
Leslie Williams
Other Information
Global History of Health : http://global.sbs.ohio-state.edu
Bioarchaeology Lab:
http://anthropology.osu.edu/bioarch/index.htm
Çatalhöyük
Research Project:
http://www.catalhoyuk.com
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