Andrew S. Wilson

Professor Andrew S. Wilson serves as Chair of the Archaeological and Forensic Science Area at the School of Archaeological & Forensic Sciences, University of Bradford. An active Archaeologist and Heritage Scientist, his work spans Digital Heritage, Human Bioarchaeology, Conservation, Taphonomy, and Forensic Archaeology, with interdisciplinary publications in Nature, Science, and PNAS attracting global attention for mummy and ancient remains research.

His academic training includes Conservation studies at UCL Institute of Archaeology and Bioarchaeology at the University of Sheffield and University of Bradford.

Wilson's research integrates archaeological, forensic, and conservation sciences through bioarchaeological analysis of ancient keratin remains (hair, wool, nail) and mummy studies—including frozen Inca child mummies from Volcán Llullaillaco. He utilizes stable isotope analysis to reconstruct life histories and conducts taphonomic field experiments across Peru, Belgium, and the UK Pennines to study decay processes under varied environmental conditions.

His scientific accolades include:

• Museums & Galleries Commission National Conservation Award (1999)
• World’s Archaeological Research Awards (2017)

Wilson leads major externally funded projects such as Digitised Diseases (Jisc), Fragmented Heritage (AHRC), and Visualising Animal Hard Tissues (AHRC/EPSRC), securing support from AHRC, Wellcome Trust, and Historic Environment Scotland. He supervises AHRC-funded doctoral students and co-directs the Visualising Heritage Team.

His operational facilities include a dedicated taphonomic research site in Oxenhope, UK, and collaborations with the University of Tennessee's Anthropological Research Facility. Wilson also contributes as Editorial Board member for the Journal of World Prehistory and Forensic Archaeology Expert Panel for CIfA.