Skeletal Biologist to Speak on Human Behavior Based on the Study of Leg Bones
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WACO, Texas (April 17, 2013)--Ever wondered what it would have been like to live on Earth in the pre-historic times? With research conducted by Daniel J. Wescott, Ph.D., ancient human behavior is unveiled through the study of long bone biomechanics.
Wescott will join Baylor's department of anthropology at 1:15 p.m. Friday, April 19, in Room A207 in the Baylor Sciences Building, 101 Bagby Ave.
Long bone biomechanics compares leg bones in a human body and associates the bones with different daily activities of that individual. Wescott uses ancient long bone remains to peek into the past of hunters and gatherers, shedding light on the types of activities they participated in.
Wescott is a skeletal biologist at Texas State University. His interests include bioarchaeology, forensic anthropological methods, long bone biomechanics and secular change. His research primarily concerns developing and testing methods that can be used to reconstruct demographic information such as age, sex, ancestry and stature.
Wescott has authored and reviewed numerous articles for publications including "Journal of Comparative Human Biology," "Journal of Forensic Sciences" and "Plains Anthropologist."
Wescott earned a doctorate in philosophy in anthropology from the University of Tennessee, a master of arts in anthropology and a bachelor of arts in anthropology from Wichita State University.
For more information, contact the department of anthropology at 254-710-4084 or online at www.baylor.edu/anthropology.
by Rebecca Malzahn , student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
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