Cassandra Scaffidi

Cassandra Scaffidi serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology and Heritage Studies within the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts at the University of California, Merced. Her academic work bridges archaeological science with anthropological theory, focusing on ancient Andean civilizations through advanced scientific methodologies.

Education:

• BA in Anthropology and Dramatic Art from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• JD from University of New Hampshire School of Law
• MA in Anthropology from Vanderbilt University
• PhD in Anthropology from Vanderbilt University

Professor Scaffidi's research employs multiple scientific approaches to reconstruct ancient lives, with particular emphasis on dietary patterns, migration patterns, and health conditions of past populations. Her work integrates stable isotope analysis for understanding paleodietary practices and radiogenic isotope studies for tracking human mobility. She also investigates ancient disease patterns through paleopathology and utilizes GIS technology for spatial analysis of archaeological sites. Her research on structural and physical violence provides critical insights into social organization and conflict in prehistoric societies, particularly in Andean regions.

Professor Scaffidi maintains active research programs that combine laboratory analysis with fieldwork, contributing significantly to our understanding of how ancient populations interacted with their environments and with each other. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges biological anthropology, archaeology, and environmental science.