Tracy Prowse -  Assistant Professor
		Contact Information Phone: 905 525 9140   Ext. 24302 Email: prowset@univmail.cis.mcmaster.ca		Educational Interests Courses Research & Supervisory Interests Previously Taught Courses Publications  Books and Book Chapters

Courses (2009-2010)

2E03 Human Variation and Evolutionary Change (Term 1)
2FF3 Skeletal Biology and Bioarchaeology (Term 1)
4R03 Advanced Skeletal Biology (Term 2)

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PhD McMaster University, 2001

Research and Supervisory Interests

My research explores diet and health in past populations, using palaeopathological and isotopic analyses of human bones and teeth. I have done research on the diet, dental health, and geographic origins of an Imperial Roman skeletal sample from the site of Isola Sacra, Italy. My approach is interdisciplinary, combining skeletal, isotopic, and archaeological evidence embedded within the historical context of the populations I study. In 2003, I began a bioarchaeological investigation of a rural Roman cemetery on an Imperial estate at Vagnari, south Italy. My current research focuses on health, diet, and migration in this Roman skeletal sample, many of whom were likely slaves or freedmen. 

My teaching and supervisory interests include; bioarchaeology, skeletal biology, palaeopathology, palaeonutrition, forensic anthropology, anthropological applications of stable isotope analysis, and Roman archaeology.

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Previously Taught Courses

Anthropology 1Z03 – Becoming and Being Human
Anthropology 2AN3 - The Anthropology of Food and Nutrition
Anthropology 2FF3 – Skeletal Biology and Bioarchaeology
Anthropology 3N03 – Primate Evolution
Anthropology 4R03 – Advanced Skeletal Biology
Anthropology 4J03 – Advanced Topics on Physical Anthropology

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Publications

2008     Prowse TL, Saunders SR, Schwarcz HP, Garnsey P, Bondioli L, and Macchiarelli R.   Isotopic and dental evidence for weaning and young child feeding practices in an Imperial Roman skeletal sample. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 137(3): 294-308.

2007     Prowse TL, Schwarcz HP, Garnsey P, Bondioli L, Macchiarelli R, and Knyf M. Isotopic evidence for age-related immigration to Imperial Rome.  American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 132(4):510-519.

2007     Prowse TL. The human skeletal remains.  In, Excavation in the Roman Cemetery at Vagnari in the Territory of Gravina in Puglia (2002) edited by Alastair Small and Carola Small. Papers of the British School at Rome, Volume LXXV, pp. 150-162. The British School at Rome, Rome (Italy).

2005     Prowse T, Schwarcz H, Saunders S, Bondioli L, and Macchiarelli R.  Isotopic evidence for age-related variation in diet from Isola Sacra, Italy.  American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 128(1):2-13.

2004     Prowse T, Schwarcz H, Saunders S, Bondioli L, and Macchiarelli R.  Isotopic paleodiet studies of skeletons from the Imperial Roman cemetery of Isola Sacra, Rome, Italy. Journal of Archaeological Science. 31(3):259-272.

1998     Small A, Small C, Campbell I, MacKinnon M, Prowse T, and Sipe C.  Field Survey in the Basentello Valley on the Basilicata-Puglia Border.  Echos du Monde Classique/Classical Views.  XLII: 337-371.

1996    Prowse TL and Lovell NC.  Concordance of Cranial and Dental Morphological Traits and Evidence for Endogamy in Ancient Egypt. American Journal of Physical Anthropology.  101(2): 237-246.

1995     Prowse TL and Lovell NC.  Biological Continuity between the A- and C- Groups in Lower Nubia: Evidence from Cranial Nonmetric Traits. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 5(2): 104-114.

Books and Book Chapters

In press  Moffat T and Prowse TL (editors) Human Diet and Nutrition in BioculturalPerspective.  Biosocial Society Symposium Series. Berghan Press. Series editor - Catherine Panter-Brick.

In press   Prowse TL, Saunders SR, FitzGerald C, Bondioli L, and Macchiarelli R. Growth, morbidity, and mortality in antiquity: a case study from Imperial Rome. In, T. Moffat and T. Prowse (eds.) Human Diet and Nutrition in Biocultural Perspective. Biosocial Society Series.  Berghan Press.

2007     Prowse TL. Burials/cemeteries: burials, excavation and recording techniques. In, DM Pearsall (ed.): Encyclopedia of Archaeology. Academic Press. pp. 944-948.

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