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Anthropolgy Labs

Research Laboratory (360 Blegen Hall)

This lab is designed to handle a wide range of research-related demands, including the study of plant and animal remains and other archaeological or paleoanthropological materials. Resources: lithics knapping lab, fume hoods, centrifuge, and other materials for preparing botanical samples, Phytolith and soil sample processing facilities, research work space, NC Tappen primate osteology collection, taphonomy collection, mammalian osteology reference collection.

Center for Imaging and Modeling in Anthropology (355 Blegen)

The Center houses state of the art photographic and scanning equipement for creating representations of archaeological artifacts. A major research focus is developing analitical techniques that use three-dimensional models.

Resources: microscopes with video capture, three dimensional laser and contact scanners, object rigs for three dimensional photography and photogrammetry, computer workstations, research work space.

Human Evolution Laboratory (345 Blegen Hall)

This is a state of the art facility for teaching human evolution. We have an extensive collection of casts of hominid and other fossils, and comparative anatomical materials. The teaching lab is scheduled with sections of Anthropology 1001: Human Evolution virtually around the clock—as the hardy students who fill the 7:00 AM section can testify. Recently expanded lab space and storage has significantly enhanced the "hands on" sophistication of the lab sections. We also have one of the best-trained and most experienced staff of teaching assistants in the nation, which is probably the main reason for Anthropology 1001's immense popularity.

Advanced Teaching Laboratory (318 Blegen Hall)

The Advanced Teaching Laboratory was built with funding from the National Science Foundation and the College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota. The mission of this lab is to provide research experience to undergraduates in the study of biological and other materials in archaeology, paleoanthropology and closely related fields. The lab is equipped for the macroscopic and microscopic study of plant and animal remains and geological samples. The lab is designed for instruction of small groups of students who will learn to use a wide range of laboratory equipment, collect data from several different types of material, and process that data using in-house database management hardware and software.Several undergraduate students take part in ongoing research projects in our main research laboratories. Some of this work is funded by the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). Other students are working in our labs on their senior projects, and still others volunteer to work in our labs simply because it is a fun and enriching experience.

Resources: Advanced lab courses in biological anthropology and archaeology; transmitted and incident light microscopes, teaching collections of archaeological and osteological material, computer workstations and printers.

Wilford Laboratory of North American Archaeology (86 Heller)

The Wilford Laboratory of North American Archaeology was established in 1932 by Alfred Jenks and Lloyd Wilford, Minnesota's first University of Minnesota-based professional archaeologists. It is a research and teaching facility dedicated to the investigation of the prehistoric and historical archaeology of North America.

For advice on selecting courses related to North American archaeology and for research opportunities, contact Professor Gibbon or Professor Hayes.