Mary Prendergast

Mary Prendergast is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Rice University, specializing in African archaeology with a focus on the interplay between human societies and their environments. Her research examines the origins and spread of pastoralism, ancient foraging strategies, and the ethical dimensions of biomolecular archaeology, particularly ancient DNA studies. She co-leads excavations at the Pastoral Neolithic site of Luxmanda in Tanzania and collaborates with institutions like the National Museum of Tanzania and the University of Florida.

Her work integrates zooarchaeology, geoarchaeology, and biomolecular methods to explore how herders, foragers, and fishers interacted in eastern Africa. She emphasizes ethical frameworks for genetic research, advocating for meaningful stakeholder collaboration. Key themes include climate adaptation, disease dynamics, and long-term demographic shifts linked to subsistence changes.

Prendergast’s research also spans the Pleistocene-Holocene transition, investigating technological innovations and dietary adaptations. She teaches courses on African Archaeology, Zooarchaeology, and Museum Ethics. Her publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to understanding human ecological impacts and cultural evolution across millennia.

Notable contributions include studies on the genetic history of African foragers, the entangled origins of Swahili coastal populations, and the ethics of ancient DNA research. She actively engages in public science communication through articles in Nature and The Conversation, bridging academic research with broader societal relevance.