Anna J. Waterman

Dr. Anna J. Waterman is a Professor of Biology in Mount Mercy University's Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, where she teaches Human Anatomy (with cadaver laboratory), Human Physiology, and Evolution. Her research integrates biological anthropology with advanced isotopic techniques to explore prehistoric human societies across Iberia.

Her educational background includes a PhD (2012), MA, and BA in Biological Anthropology from the University of Iowa, forming the foundation for her specialized work in skeletal analysis and isotopic methodologies.

Waterman's research focuses on bioarchaeology and isotopic analyses to reconstruct ancient diets, health statuses, and migration patterns. She employs stable (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, δ¹⁸O) and radiogenic (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) isotope systems on human and animal skeletal remains from Neolithic to Bronze Age sites in Portugal and Spain. Her work reveals intricate details about social structures through dietary differentiation in collective burials and tracks human mobility using strontium isotope ratios.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications shows consistent focus on Late Prehistoric Iberia (3500-1500 BCE), with methodological emphasis on strontium isotope proveniencing. Her research bridges archaeological theory with biogeochemical evidence, particularly examining megalithic burials, economic integration between coastal/inland settlements, and ritual practices in dolmen constructions.

• Archaeological Institute of America’s Archaeology of Portugal Fellowship (2010)
• Archaeological Institute of America’s Archaeology of Portugal Fellowship (2020)

Waterman leads multiple international collaborative projects with European archaeologists and biological anthropologists, particularly investigating migration patterns in Late Prehistoric Spain and Portugal. Her research is supported by competitive grants including repeat fellowship awards from the Archaeological Institute of America. While specific student advisees aren't documented in available materials, her active conference presentations and publications indicate ongoing mentorship of research teams.

Her laboratory work centers on isotopic analysis of skeletal collections from Iberian archaeological sites, notably the Rego da Murta dolmens in Portugal and Los Millares in Spain. She collaborates with multidisciplinary teams including geneticists (as seen in the 2019 Science publication on Iberian genomic history) and zooarchaeologists to integrate biological, chemical, and archaeological evidence.