Research Centers & Labs
Matt Edling
EAL Managing Director
Dr. Carrie Miller
Genetics Lab Manager
Dr. Katherine Hayes
Archaeology Lab Director
Explore our research opportunities
The biological anthropology and archaeology labs are research and teaching facilities established in 1999 with funding from the National Science Foundation and the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota.
The labs concern themselves with the study of the human condition—past and present—from the perspective of modern evolutionary theory. It is a multidisciplinary endeavor bringing together data and theoretical perspectives from archaeology, paleoanthropology, physical anthropology, and primatology.
The Anthropological Genetics Laboratories applies molecular approaches, including the study of ancient and modern genomes, to study human evolutionary and population history. Our facilities include a dedicated Ancient DNA clean room facility and a Molecular Genetics Laboratory.
Resources:
- Class 10,000 HEPA filtered clean room dedicated to processing of skeletal remains
- Low and ultra low temperature freezers
- Laminar flow hoods
- Class II Biosafety Cabinet
- Fume hood
- Water purification system
- Fluorometer
- Autoclave
- Refrigerated centrifuge
- Analytical and precision balances
The Archaeological Chemistry Laboratory analyzes isotope ratios in archaeological human bone and tooth samples, as well as in modern environmental samples to reconstruct past human migrations. We partner with the Zheng Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences to use their metal-free clean lab and mass spectrometry in our analyses.
Resources:
- Fume hood
- Laminar flow hood dedicated to processing of skeletal remains
- Laboratory oven
- Box furnace
- Ultrasonic bath
- Analytical and precision balances
- Slide microscope
- Centrifuge
Our Center for Imaging and Morphometric Analysis is home to cutting-edge photographic and 3D surface-scanning technology for creating high-resolution digital representations of research objects. Industry-leading software for 3D design, data capture, and statistical analysis provides student and faculty investigators with the analytical power to pursue research at the forefront of the prehistoric sciences. Students may also access our digital resources (preferably with Google Chrome).
The Department of Anthropology at the University of Minnesota also works in collaboration with the College of Liberal Art's Advanced Imaging Service for Objects and Spaces (AISOS). This equipment includes: structured light scanners, photogrammetry rigs, reflectance transformation imaging rigs, Hitachi TM4000Plus tabletop scanning electron microscope, Nanovea Jr25 3D non-contact profilometer, FARO Focus M70 terrestrial LiDAR unit, and a gigamacro. For additonal support on projects as needed.
Resources:
- Microscopes with video capture
- 3D white-light scanners (Transcan C., David)
- Object rigs for three-dimensional photography and photogrammetry
- Computer workstations with dedicated graphics cards
- Research workspace
Located in 318 Blegen Hall, the Evolutionary Anthropology Laboratory (EAL), serves a dual purpose as a research and teaching facility. In EAL, our faculty and students meet at the intersection of research and teaching to study the human condition in its past and present forms.
This work is multidisciplinary, with a strong emphasis on both empirical data and theoretical perspectives drawing from archaeology, paleoanthropology, physical anthropology, geology, and primatology.
Resources:
- Teaching collections of archaeological and osteological material
This is a state-of-the-art facility for teaching human evolution with an extensive collection of casts of hominid and other fossils, as well as comparative anatomical materials. The teaching lab is used for laboratory sections of ANTH 1001: Human Evolution.
Resources:
- Collection of hominid casts.
Located in 340 Blegen Hall, our lithics lab is designed to provide space for students to get hands-on experience with the processes of stone toolmaking.
Resources:
- Archeological Lithic collections
- Lithics raw materials
- Specially vented knapping space
- Protective gear for knapping
The mission of the Mammalian Osteology Laboratory is to provide research experience to undergraduates in the study of biological and other materials in archaeology, paleoanthropology, and closely related fields.
Located in 320 Blegen Hall, this lab is equipped for the macroscopic and microscopic study of animal remains and geological samples.
With space designed for instruction of small groups, students learn to use a wide range of laboratory equipment, collect data from several different types of material, and process those data using in-house database management hardware and software. More than a dozen undergraduate students take part in ongoing research projects each year in our main research laboratories. Some of this work is funded by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).
Other students pursue independent studies or senior projects, and still others volunteer to work in our labs simply because it is a fun and enriching experience.
Resources:
- Advanced lab courses in biological anthropology and archaeology
- Transmitted and incident light microscopes
- Computer workstations
- Research workspace
- The NC Tappen primate osteology collection
- Taphonomy collection
- Mammalian osteology reference collection
The mission of this lab is to provide the instruments and space necessary for carrying out microarchaeological analyses on artifacts and archaeological sediments.
Undergraduate students carry out research for senior theses, laboratory internships, and freshman research awards in this lab every year. Graduate students, postdocs, and faculty use it regularly for archaeological research on multiple projects throughout the world.
Resources:
- Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer (Nicolet iS5)
- Large centrifuge
- Mini centrifuge
- Ultrasonicating tank
- Flotation equipment
- Desiccators
- Fume hoods
- Leica MZ16A Stereoscope
- Polarizing transmitted light microscope (Leica DM2500P with digital camera) for petrographic thin-section analysis
The North American Archaeology lab, located in 86 Heller Hall, exists as a research and teaching facility dedicated to the investigation of the North American archaeology with a particular focus on Minnesota. Contact Professor Katherine Hayes for advice on research opportunities.
Resources:
- Dedicated laboratory space with artifact processing and analysis space for use by students and project PIs
- Extensive reference library of Minnesota archaeology and American historical archaeology
- Comparative lithic and ceramic collections, Minnesota and Upper Midwest materials
The Primate Ecology, Behavior, & Biology Lab (PEBBL) combines analyses of hormones and parasites, behavior, and environmental data to study the feeding ecology of wild monkeys. Our facilities in 360 Blegen consist of equipment for measuring biomarkers, as well as an archive of biological samples from monkey populations in Uganda.
Resources:
- Gamma counter for radioimmunoassays
- Plate washer & reader for enzyme immunoassays
- Biosafety cabinet & fume hood
- Large-capacity refrigerated centrifuge & centrifugal vacuum concentrator
- Refrigerator & freezer
- Laboratory oven
- Digital microscope
- 10L water bath
- pH meter
- Rack vortexer, plate shakers, and orbital roller
Additionally, we have access to the equipment that is managed by the College of Liberal Art's Advanced Imaging Service for Objects and Spaces (AISOS). This equipment includes: structured light scanners, photogrammetry rigs, reflectance transformation imaging rigs, Hitachi TM4000Plus tabletop scanning electron microscope, Nanovea Jr25 3D non-contact profilometer, FARO Focus M70 terrestrial LiDAR unit, and a gigamacro.
The University of Minnesota Anthropology department can help with the identification of archaeological objects. Fill out the Object Identification Form which will route to department staff. Department staff will respond to identification requests on a time-available basis.
Please note that we will not appraise your object nor authenticate items for sale. At this time, the Anthropology department does not have the capability to perform absolute dating methods on any object. Additionally, the Anthropology department will not sequence any genetic material. Finally, the Anthropology department will identify objects or artifacts that relate to human activity. If you think you have a fossil or dinosaur bone, please contact the UMN Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.