Anthropology

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/handle/10012/9870

This is the collection for the University of Waterloo's Department of Anthropology.

Research outputs are organized by type (eg. Master Thesis, Article, Conference Paper).

Waterloo faculty, students, and staff can contact us or visit the UWSpace guide to learn more about depositing their research.

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 10

4150 Cousins: What 7 DNA Ancestry Tests Can Tell You About Your Kin
(University of Waterloo, 2016-01-12) Nadeau, Danielle; Park, Robert
This thesis presents the results of seven commercialized DNA ancestry tests that are all available to the public, for under $400 Canadian dollars each. This research is conducted to explore the use of commercialized DNA ancestry tests. The results from each test are compared in order to determine what they are able to tell a customer. The tests used are not the only tests available, but are chosen because of their popularity, price, and what they claim to be able to report to their customer. I find the databases that the tests include online to ‘find relatives’, who are other customers having the same Haplogroup or another matching genetic identifier, to be the most troublesome aspect of the results. Specifically, it is important for the public to clearly understand that these tests are not as conclusive as they are advertised to be, so that they are not misled in thinking that the tests have the potential to show things with certainty that they cannot.
Climate Volatility and Human Adaptation in the Eastern Arctic
(University of Waterloo, 2025-01-14) Young, Andrew; Park, Robert
This thesis explores the relationship between climate volatility and human occupation in the Eastern Arctic, focusing on three key regions: Greenland, Ellesmere Island, and Baffin Island. Using paleoclimatic data from ice cores and sea surface temperature reconstructions, this study applies rolling standard deviations to measure climate volatility. These data are then overlaid with radiocarbon-dated archaeological sites to assess how fluctuations in climate influenced cultural transitions and subsistence strategies across different Arctic populations, including the Saqqaq, Dorset, and Thule cultures. The findings reveal that periods of heightened climate volatility often corresponded with significant shifts in settlement patterns and resource exploitation strategies. The Thule culture thrived during periods of relatively volatile conditions of the Little Ice Age, while the Dorset culture faced increasing challenges as climate conditions became more volatile, contributing to their decline. The earlier Pre-Dorset and Saqqaq cultures demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of climatic fluctuations, suggesting a high degree of adaptability to environmental changes. This research provides critical insights into how past Arctic populations responded to periods of environmental stress, highlighting the importance of flexibility, technological innovation, and resource diversification in their survival. By drawing on paleoclimatic data and archaeological evidence, this study contributes to broader anthropological discussions on human adaptation to climate change and offers valuable lessons for contemporary communities facing similar challenges in the modern Arctic.
Digging Online: Crowdfunding for Archaeology
(University of Waterloo, 2017-01-17) Seguin, Matthew J.; Park, Robert
Archaeology permits us precious glimpses into the mysterious past, captivating the public with its intrigue. However, the expensive nature of archaeological work often leads to a struggle for funding. Crowdfunding allows us to leverage archaeology’s popular appeal to find the funds we have long struggled (and often failed) to obtain through traditional means. Furthermore, it lets us interact with the public in a new and novel way, allowing the different voices and narratives of the public to be heard. This thesis explores some of the benefits of crowdfunding. As well, data on crowdfunded archaeology projects were collected and analyzed and certain key success metrics were identified. Using these, a basic framework was developed to aid potential archaeological crowd funders. Considerations such as platform, media elements, and language, are an important part of the process. When used strategically, this tool can help unearth much for both the archaeologist and the public.
Dorset Use of Caribou Bones at Mingo Lake (LdFa- 1): A Faunal Analysis and Application of 3D Technology for the Recovery of Bone Tool Blanks
(University of Waterloo, 2018-12-17) Krause, Holly; Park, Robert
The faunal remains from the Dorset culture component at the LdFa-1 site, located at Mingo Lake on Baffin Island, showcase extensive cutting on some caribou bones in the form of the groove and splinter technique. These bones are known from other Dorset sites to have been cut for tools and reflect the assemblage of cut bones from Mingo Lake. These cut bones were scanned and evaluated against the comparative collection, and digitally overlaid to extract the blank that the Dorset were seeking for their tools. This blank could be 3D printed and physically compared to tools for a clearer understanding of the shape the Dorset were seeking for their tools, and which elements could provide that for them.
The Heritage Inquisition: A Comparative Analysis of Archaeological Heritage Legislation from Around the World
(University of Waterloo, 2020-01-16) Tildesley, Martha; Park, Robert
Around the world, archaeological sites and their excavation are governed by laws. These laws regulate things such as what must occur when land that may contain archaeological sites is going to be disturbed, as well as who is allowed to excavate sites, and what happens to the artifacts that are found. These laws have a real impact on archaeologists and other members of society, but they differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. By comparing current archaeological heritage legislation, regulation and policy in different jurisdictions around the world, this thesis identifies patterns both common and distinct within the heritage legislation. In this thesis, I draw from my own research to look at the diverse ways in which archaeology is regulated, practiced and perceived in different parts of the world. I draw from my own knowledge and experience of Ontario archaeology and include areas from around the world that share a similar past to that of Ontario, which results in the archaeology of colonial and Indigenous histories. The jurisdictions examined in this thesis are: Ontario and Nunavut in Canada; New Zealand, and Tasmania. In chapter one, I investigate and demonstrate how these archaeological heritage laws are important, and the real effect they have on people. Archaeological legislation protects archaeological sites and materials, and is sometimes perceived in a positive manner, and sometimes in a negative manner by affected people. In chapter two, I expand upon the effects of legislation on individuals by comparing the archaeological heritage legislation from the four chosen jurisdictions. I ask the question: which problems were solved by the legislation? Asking this question emphasizes the similarities and differences in the practice of archaeology from around the world and helps to show how different jurisdictions deal with specific archaeological situations. This analysis of the current archaeological heritage legislation of these jurisdictions offers insights into the role and influence heritage governance has on the lives of people around the world.
Maritime Trade of Classical Greece: Commodities Shipped in Transport Amphorae
(University of Waterloo, 2024-01-04) Brandreth, Shannon; Park, Robert
Trade practices have long been a concern of anthropological studies but has fallen out of focus in archaeological research. Much can be learned about trade from material remains, especially those from shipwrecks. For this study, material remains from four Classical Greek merchant shipwrecks will be examined to identify commodities contained within transport amphorae. This research will provide insight into commodities that are well-known for this historical context, such as wine and olive products, in addition to other commodities not often discussed or even known about. Furthermore, this will highlight the need for archaeological research to engage with anthropological practices of studying trade
Negative Spaces: Bringing Indigenous women to the forefront of archaeological research in the lower Great Lakes region
(University of Waterloo, 2021-01-15) Mitchell, Clara; Park, Robert
Indigenous women are underrepresented and/or stereotyped in the archaeological record with cultural remains often being interpreted as being inherently male. Previous to contemporary decolonial and feminist research, dominant androcentric and colonial frameworks were highly influential within the discipline and distorted the Indigenous past through the use of limited historical documents provided by colonizers. This reliance on primary colonial documentation has led to a restrictive interpretation of the past. Archaeological research that employs androcentric and colonial lenses negatively affects Indigenous women, both historically and contemporarily, by excluding them from their own histories and controlling public narratives. By providing a meta-analysis of trade goods in conjunction with contextualizing European’s imperious interpretations, this paper works to highlight potential roles that Indigenous women occupied and the ways in which they affected material culture that may not have been considered previously. Contrary to past interpretations of trade goods, it appears as though women would have had direct and long-term use with these materials, even having the potential to influence the types of commodities tradesmen brought to the metaphorical table.
Ontario's Archaeological Curation Crisis - Twenty Years Later
(University of Waterloo, 2017-01-20) Karrow, Stuart; Park, Robert
Archaeological collections are cherished for future educational opportunities, cultural or spiritual reasons and archaeological research. With the ongoing destruction of archaeological sites, the information stored in these collections is quite valuable as it becomes the only remaining evidence of past life. Unfortunately, in Ontario, archaeological collections are at risk of becoming lost, destroyed or misplaced because they are stored privately without specific management guidelines. After interviewing five professional Ontario archaeologists, it was made clear that financial restrictions within the heritage sector limit the adequate care of archaeological collections, suggesting that traditional solutions remain challenging. Over the last decade, improper care has rendered many collections unusable for archaeological research. For these reasons, archaeological collections with remaining research potential must be prioritized and curated appropriately over collections with no remaining archaeological value. Preventative measures such as avoidance and legislation should be adopted to prevent future curation problems in the province. Importantly, this study has identified that future research is needed to determine the specific archaeological potential in Ontario’s privately stored collections and to discuss our current options responding to this problem. This research is important to archaeologists and to anyone else who appreciates the shared value in Ontario’s archaeological past.
Printing the Past: 3D Printing and Archaeology
(University of Waterloo, 2016-01-15) Rickert, Jennifer; Park, Robert
3D Printing and 3D imaging technologies are frequent topics of global discussion. We see countless news media posts and academic articles devoted to what the technology is capable of and how it is currently being used. Some authors focus on how the technology can be implemented into existing archaeological frameworks, whereas others focus on breaking down what the technology is capable of producing at this time. Very few are looking into how this technology and its products are affecting global understandings of objects and material culture. In archaeology, this is particularly relevant for how we see, use, and interpret 3D printed replicas of original artifacts, as well as the original archaeological artifacts themselves. Through a review of current discourse on the subject as well as background anthropological, material culture studies, and archaeological theory, this thesis will explore some of the ways in which archaeology as a discipline needs to begin to think about how using such technology will change our relationships with artifacts, and that indeed it already has. By focusing on one of three potential archaeological sub-foci, research and education, this paper argues the need for archaeologists to consider what 3D imaging will do for the future of archaeological material digitization and questions of information accessibility.
Salvaging on the Coast of Erebus Bay: An Analysis of Inuit Interaction with Material from the Franklin Expedition
(University of Waterloo, 2018-01-02) Thacher, Dana; Park, Robert
Over the course of the 19th century, many European explorers sailed in search of a Northwest Passage through the Canadian Arctic. These journeys brought them into territory occupied by Inuit, who both traded with the explorers for various goods and interacted with the material that they left behind. The Inuit then sometimes altered these goods to suit their own needs and the alterations had the potential of ascribing new meaning to the material that was different from what the European manufacturers intended. In this research, I will examine the remains of two ship’s boats from three sites on King William Island (NgLj-2, NgLj-3, and NgLj-8) that were abandoned by members of the Franklin expedition and subsequently found and altered by an Inuit sub-group called the Netsilik to reveal the motivational factors behind their actions. By combining the conceptual frameworks of entanglement and salvage, it appears that Inuit utilized these boats in a manner that reflects (1) their environment, (2) what the material afforded, (3) their past experiences with Europeans and European material, and (4) their intended uses of the material.

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Browsing Anthropology by Author "Park, Robert"