Skeletal Morphology Laboratories

The Comparative Morphology Laboratory houses a comprehensive series of comparative mammalian skeletons and cadavers, including a large collection of non-human primates. The laboratory collections also include an excellent cast collection of Paleogene to Pleistocene nonhuman primate fossils. The lab is equipped with computer workstations, dissection, and casting facilities, and an extensive research library.

The Faunal Analysis Laboratory houses comparative mammalian and nonmammalian skeletal series critical to faunal identification in recent, and particularly North American, sites. The laboratory collections include domestic avian and mammalian faunas as well as examples of taphonomic and human modifications of bone.

The Human Osteology Laboratory houses a comprehensive series of whole and fragmentary medical teaching skeletons and instructional sets for assessment of skeletal age and sex, dental anatomy and variation. The laboratory is further equipped with a three-dimensional digitizer (Microscribe 3DX), standard osteometric and anthropometric equipment, light boxes for radiograph interpretation and a computer workstation for viewing and measuring CT scans.

The Paleoanthropology Laboratory contains an excellent collection of casts of hominin fossils from Pliocene to Late Pleistocene which are used for both teaching and research purposes. The laboratory is also equipped with a three-dimensional digitizer, as well as computers with the necessary software for collection, processing and statistical analysis of two- and three-dimensional coordinate data (i.e., Inscribe, GRF-ND, Morpheus, tps, and Morphometrika), and general statistical packages (i.e., SAS, Systat, Statistica and NT-SYS).

Population Genetics and Molecular Anthropology Laboratory

The Population Genetics and Molecular Anthropology Laboratory is one of the best equipped molecular primatology laboratories in the country. Over 2000 square feet provide support for all aspects of molecular primatological research. The laboratory has bench space for up to 12 researchers at a time. The laboratory is equipped with 10 thermocyclers for DNA amplification (PCR), a Real-Time Quantitative PCR system, and an ABI 3730 automated DNA analysis system. All of the ancillary equipment required for DNA extraction, typing, sequencing, quantification and other types of analysis are available. An ancient DNA extraction facility is also located within the anthropology building.