James Watson

James Watson is a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Arizona and Associate Curator at the Arizona State Museum. His research focuses on bioarchaeology, specifically examining health, disease, and human adaptations in prehistoric populations across deserts like the Sonoran and Andean Altiplano, with an emphasis on agriculture's impact. He teaches courses including Human Osteology and Bioarchaeology seminars. His work integrates dental anthropology, paleopathology, and field archaeology to explore dietary shifts, social structures, and mortuary practices of early farming communities. Recent studies include investigating sex-based health disparities in prehistoric Arizona and the role of female hunters in early American societies.

Key research areas span North America, Mesoamerica, and northern Chile, addressing topics such as dental wear patterns, migration, and the origins of agriculture. He leads the La Playa Archaeological Project, examining long-term human adaptation in the Sonoran Desert. Watson collaborates extensively on interdisciplinary projects, combining genetic, isotopic, and archaeological data to reconstruct prehistoric lifeways. His publications emphasize methodological innovations in bioarchaeology and ethical compliance in cultural heritage research.