Rowan Students and Professor Participate in Archeology Project in Chil?

October 26, 2004

The Museo Arqueologico of La Serena, Chil?, an archeological field school, and Rowan University, teamed up and ?dug deep? to develop an exciting summer research activity for students.

Three Rowan student volunteers traveled to La Serena, Chil?, with Associate Professor of Archeology Dr. Maria Rosado to participate in the conservation and bio-archeological analyses of skeletal remains. Each student participant helped recover skeletal samples that provided more knowledge in the conservation and studying of other cultures.

The three participants in the June-July 2004 activity were:

**Toms River resident Amber Peterson, 2004 graduate with a B.A. in biology and anthropology minor

**Butler resident Lori Gilliam, 2004 graduate with a B.A. in biology and anthropology minor

**Hammonton resident Stephanie Blough, senior history major and anthropology minor


These students were able to get hands on experience in osteology (the study of bones), paleopathology (the study of ancient diseases), bioarcheology (the archeological study of human remains), forensic anthropology (crime scene investigation by studying bones), handling skeletal remains and basics of research design. Students also participated in an actual excavation and were taught one-on-one by experienced field specialists.

Rosado has been an adjunct investigator of physical anthropology at the Museo Arqueologico since 1988. At Rowan, she teaches courses, including: Introduction to Archeology, Forensic Anthropology, Indians of North America, Natives of South America, Indians of South America and Human Ecology.