Anthropology and Museum Studies

Labs and CWAS

The department has several research laboratories in Dean Hall and an associated service organization, CWAS. Research labs are dedicated to archaeology (Dean 226, 226), forensic anthropology (Dean 228), osteology (Dean 232B), and zooarchaeology (Dean 222, 223).

Forensic Anthropology Lab

The CWU Forensic Anthropology Laboratory, under the direction of Dr. Nicole Jastremski, is located in Dean 228. This lab provides students the ability to further their forensics, bioarchaeology, and human osteology training. The lab comes equipped with standard osteometric equipment, a NextGen Scanner, a 3D digitizer, field tools, casting materials, and a computer with Fordisc. Several human skeletons and casts (infant through adult) and some comparative faunal remains are also housed here to expose students to methods in comparative anatomy, trauma and pathological analysis, and the biological profile. The lab has an extensive collection of reference books to aid in student learning.

Osteology Lab

The CWU Osteology Laboratory located in Dean 232B is a smart room that functions as a space for bioanthropology faculty members to work individually with students interested in paleoanthropology. This lab houses casts of fossil primates and hominids from diverse genera such as Dryopithecus, Ardipithecus, Sahelanthropus, Sivapithecus, Proconsul, Australopithecus, Kenyanthropus, Paranthropus, Homo, Pan, and Hylobates. Additionally, this lab houses stadiometers and calipers for human variation studies.

Zooarchaeology Lab

The CWU Zooarchaeology Laboratory is intended to provide comparative osteological materials for archaeological, biological, and forensic purposes. The target community for using the facility is CWU faculty and students, but we welcome use by other qualified individuals engaged in appropriate research. We also engage in public outreach events with our "Skulls and Bones" tables. For more information, see the CWU Zooarchaeology Lab.

Central Washington Anthropological Survey (CWAS)

CWAS conducts archaeological investigations throughout the Northwest and promotes public involvement in the identification and protection of regional archaeological resources. CWAS cooperates with state and federal agencies, Native American Tribes and Nations, professional archaeologists throughout the state, and state and local archaeological societies to study and preserve Central Washington's archeological resources. Not only does CWAS perform a valuable service for Central Washington, but in the process, it provides "real world" archaeological work experiences for CWU students who have demonstrated willingness and ability to perform cultural resource management activities. CWAS is under the supervision of Dr. Steven Hackenberger. For more information, see the Central Washington Anthropological Survey page.