Robert J Losey

Robert J Losey is a Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Anthropology Department at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Arts. His research focuses on zooarchaeology, human-animal relationships, and Arctic prehistory, particularly regarding canine and reindeer domestication. He has conducted fieldwork in Siberia, the North American Arctic, and the Great Plains, examining topics like domestication genetics, seal hunting practices, and the evolution of dog diets. Losey holds a BA from Kansas State University, an MSc from the University of Oregon, and a PhD in Archaeology. He teaches courses such as Zooarchaeology, Northwest Coast Archaeology, and Advanced Zooarchaeology. His work integrates archaeological, genetic, and isotopic methods to explore long-term human-animal entanglements.

Research highlights include studies on dog domestication in Siberia, the domestication processes of reindeer, and the role of animal imagery in Arctic cultures. His 2022 work on Arctic canines’ dietary adaptations and 2023 analysis of Holocene seal hunting at Lake Baikal exemplify his interdisciplinary approach. Losey’s publications span journals like Science Advances, Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, and Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences.