David DeGusta
Assistant Professor
Department of Anthropological Sciences
Stanford University
THIS WEBSITE UNDER MAJOR CONSTRUCTION!
TEACHING PAGE (has syllabi and information for current and future courses)
RESEARCH INTERESTS
I study the evolution, behavior, and ecology of primates, especially fossil hominids, through the recovery and analysis of skeletal remains. A variety of labels can be applied to this work, such as biological anthropology, paleoanthropology, human osteology, human paleontology, and/or bioarchaeology.
RESEARCH AREAS
Fossil Hominids
Goal: To recover, describe, and analyze the morphology of hominid fossils (especially postcrania) to test hypotheses about the pattern and process of human evolution. This is the core of my research program.
Goal: To use skeletal remains to test hypotheses about prehistoric hominid behavior. Neanderthal behavior is a particular focus, but both earlier (Pliocene) hominids and later (Holocene) humans are of interest. This helps refine our understanding of the process of human evolution.
Goal: To develop methods for inferring paleohabitats from the functional morphology of bovid postcranial remains, and then use them to reconstruct early hominid habitats.This helps refine our understanding of the process of human evolution.
Goal: To recover, describe, and analyze faunal remains, especially from Miocene to Pleistocene Africa, to test hypotheses about mammalian evolution. This helps refine our understanding of both evolutionary theory as well as the ecological context of human evolution.
Goal: To develop, evaluate, and improve methods for inferring evolutionary relationships (phylogeny) from morphological data. This helps refine our understanding of the pattern of human evolution.
Goal: To apply skeletal methods to the remains of modern non-human primates to test hypotheses of interest in primatology and evolutionary biology. This helps refine our understanding of the pattern and process of primate evolution.
More content coming soon!
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mailing Address:
Prof. David DeGusta
Dept. of Anthropological Sciences
Building 360, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-2117
E-mail:
my last name at stanford dot edu
Fax:
(650) 725-9996
Phone:
e-mail me