معرفی
Dr. Joshua T. Schnell is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh’s Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on the bioarchaeology of Mesoamerica, particularly the ancient Maya, emphasizing health, medicine, body practices, and funerary rituals. He conducts fieldwork in Chiapas, Mexico, as Co-Director of the Proyecto Arqueológico Bajo Lacantun (PABL), investigating the Lakamtuun kingdom. His interdisciplinary work integrates ethnohistoric, archaeological, and biomolecular methods to explore how past populations interacted with their bodies and environments.
Education:
- PhD in Anthropology, Brown University
- MA in Anthropology, Brown University
- BS and BA in Anthropology and Religious Studies, Michigan State University
Research Interests: Dr. Schnell’s work examines the intersection of health, diet, and disease in the Maya world, with a focus on dental care, oral hygiene, and therapeutic practices. He employs microscopy, experimental archaeology, and archival research to analyze skeletal remains and material culture. His projects highlight how cultural values shaped bodily maintenance and postmortem treatment.
Articles Trends: His publications address dental interventions, medicinal plant use, and warfare chronology in Maya sites. Recent work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to reconstruct health practices and social structures through skeletal and archaeological evidence.
Lab & Fieldwork: Dr. Schnell runs a lab specializing in experimental archaeology and microscopy, welcoming student involvement. His field projects span Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras, focusing on both urban centers and smaller sites to understand regional health and social dynamics.
