|
Jennifer L. Thompson, Associate
Professor |
 |
|
|
Interests: Palaeoanthropology, Hominid growth and development. Human origins. Skeletal biology, dental anthropology,
morphometrics.
My research focuses on questions pertaining to origin and evolution of modern humans, including the origins and evolution of the modern human pattern of growth and development. For much of the time the genus Homo has been in existence, almost half of any individual’s lifetime was spent growing up. It has become increasingly clear that our overall understanding of human evolution benefits greatly from a thorough analysis of sub-adult fossil specimens. My research has concentrated on patterns of skeletal growth in Neanderthals as compared to those of modern humans and earlier hominids. However, investigating what constitutes the “modern human” pattern of growth and development is crucial to interpreting whether or not individual ancient fossils specimens conform to that pattern. Human growth is affected by many factors such as diet, disease, environment, socioeconomic status as well as genetics. Analysis of variation in skeletal and dental maturation in more recent and living populations will contribute to our overall understanding of human growth and development and may reveal important evidence pertaining to the evolution of our species.
|
|
Selected Publications
2006. (with G. Madden). Skeletal Biology of Neolithic Human Remains from Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt. In: M. Chlodnicki, M. Kobusiewicz, K. Kroeper , eds,
Archaeology of Early Northeastern Africa. 527-538. Studies in African Archaeology 9. Poznan Archaeological Museum.
2005. (with MP
Alfonso and VG Standen). Reevaluating Harris
Lines – A Comparison Between Harris Lines and
Enamel Hypoplasia. Collegium
Antropologicum 29:315-319.
2005. Le Moustier
1 and its place among the Neandertals. The
Neandertal Adolescent Le Moustier 1 - New
Aspects, New Results. H. Ullrich, ed.
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin - Preußischer
Kulturbesiz.
2003. (with G.
Krovitz and A. J. Nelson, eds). Patterns of
Growth and Development in the Genus Homo.
Cambridge University Press.
2002. (with A. J.
Nelson). Neanderthal Adolescent Postcranial
Growth. Human Evolution Through
Developmental Change, 442-463. N. Minugh-Purvis
and K. McNamara, eds. Johns Hopkins U Press.
2000. (with A. J.
Nelson). The Place of Neanderthals in the
Evolution of Hominid Patterns of Growth and
Development. Journal of Human Evolution
38:475-495.
1998. (with B.
Illerhaus). A New Reconstruction of the Le
Moustier 1 Skull and Investigation of Internal
Structures Using 3-D-uCT Data. Journal of
Human Evolution 35:647-665.
|
|
|
|