ISU Bioanthropology Laboratories
Biological anthopology, or bioanthropology, is a subfield of anthropology which focuses on study of the variation and evolution of human biology and bioculture. This subfield includes paleoanthropology, bioarcheology, primatology, human biology, forensic anthropology and others. Bioanthropology at ISU primarily focuses on macro- and micro human osteology and dental anthropology within bioarchaeology (the study of human remains from the past, archaeological/historic context) and forensic anthropology (study of human remains from a medico-legal context).Â
The ISU biological anthropology laboratories are housed Graveley Hall on the Pocatello campus. The lab complex consists of three research labs for bioarchaeology, dental anthropology and hard tissue histology, forensic anthropology, and maceration and processing. The research in these labs is also performed with additional resources available at Center for Archaeology, Materials, and Applied Spectroscopy (CAMAS), the Radiographic Science program, the Global Information System (GIS) labs, the willed-body donation program, and Idaho Museum of Natural History (IMNH), all on the ISU-Pocatello campus. Additionally, the bioanthropology teaching lab is also located in the same location and is the site of many biological anthropology courses. Each lab maintains resources that are available to faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and collaborative scholars.
BIOANTHROPOLOGY TEACHING LAB (Graveley Hall, B12)
This lab space is home to many biological anthropology courses including Biological Anthropology Laboratory sections, Osteology, Bioarchaeology, and Forensic Anthropology courses. The space features eight laboratory tables for four students each, a sink with running tap, a large white board, and foot and overhead cabinets holding a diverse skeletal and cast collection.
This facility includes:
Several complete real (medical) human skeletons and isolated human skeletal elements
Models of human skeletal elements (including didactic hands and feet, exploded skull, disarticulated cast of a human infant)
Comparative casts for aging skeletons such as Suchey-Brooks and Todd pubic symphysis casts, ASUDAS dental casts, and casts of pathological and traumatic injuries)
Growing comparative animal skeleton collection
Large collection of skull and postcranial casts and models of fossil hominins, as well as fossil primates (monkey and ape), and extant primates
Equipment includes sliding and spreading calipers, osteometric boards, tape measures, handheld digital microscope, and various supplies for the Biological Anthropology Laboratory course exercises
Desktop computer and Smart Board
Courses offered in this space include: Biological Anthropology Lab, Human Osteology, Forensic Anthropology, Human Evolution, Comparative Osteology, Dental Anthropology.
Students in the Biological Anthropology Lab course measure and compare skulls.
FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY LAB (Graveley Hall, B7)
This space has been dedicated to processing and storing remains for forensic anthropology. It is equipped with table top space and cabinets, and sink with tap, eyewash station, autopsy table, digital camera, heating elements, specimen curation bags and boxes.
Students are invited to become involved in work that goes on in this lab as well as to participate in forensic case work after training.
Law enforcement, other agencies, and the public, are encouraged to contact our experts directly regarding case work, bone identification, and other services. Please consult the list of free services offered and complete the consulting inquiry form.
BIOARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTOLOGY LAB (Graveley Hall, B10)
This space operated under the direction of Dr. Samantha Blatt and is a fully equipped bioarcheological, forensic, and histological research laboratory and is also used for macroscopic skeletal analyses for prehistoric, historic, and forensic contexts. Very few laboratories around the world have equipment specialized for both bone and tooth histology, so offers a unique training and research opportunity. Much of the research conducted in this lab focuses on the microstructures of bone and teeth to estimate age at death in forensic and archaeological human remains, developmental stress, metabolic bone biology, and the influence of lifestyle on skeletal biology. This space contains a double sink with tap, foot cabinets, and eyewash station, large white board, and three tall six tall cabinets for storage.
This space also houses the largest collection of dental casts from prehistoric Guam (donated by Drs. Vicki Cassman and Bernardo Arriaza) as well as nearly 200 dental casts of modern humans from Ohio and Idaho, a collection of roughly 400 dental arcade casts from New World and Old World monekys (donated by Dr. Jeff Meldrum, ISU Biology), about 200 histological slides of modern human ribs from the ISU WIlled Body Program, a growing comparative faunal bone collection, and hundreds of dental molds and casts of prehistoric children. Outside scholars can request access to these collections for research. This space aso doubles for analysis of forensic case work, particularly regional cold cases, with a three lock storage system.
Law enforcement, other agencies, and the public, are encouraged to contact Dr. Samantha Blatt directly regarding case work, bone identification, and other services. Please consult the list of free services offered and complete the consulting inquiry form.
Thin section microscopy of bones and teeth.
Isomet slow speed saw for cutting thin sections.
Grinding and polishing preparation for making slides of thin sections.
3D printer.
Bioarchaeology
and
Forensics
We are fully equipped for field recoveries, surveys, reconnaissance, and trainings.
Students at ISU have opportunities for field training and case involvement.
The department has storage for field work supplies. Contact Dr. Charles "Andy" Speer for more detailed information about archaeological equipment and services.
MACERATION LAB (Graveley Hall, B9)
This space is pressurized and contains table top space with cabinets above and below, a sink with tap, an eyewash station, and a chemical fume hood and chemical storage. The space is often used for maceration of soft tissue in order to skeletonize. It is equipped with crockery, PPE, maceration supplies, and two countertop induction hot plates.
This lab space is used to both macerate animal remains to grow the comparative faunal collection as well as for forensic and bioarchaeological projects, cases, research, and courses.
