معرفی
Sara Juengst is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte). She specializes in bioarchaeology and Andean archaeology, with a focus on human skeletal remains to investigate past identities, social structures, and medical practices. Her fieldwork spans South America, including Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, with recent projects in coastal Ecuador.
Dr. Juengst holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2015) and a BA in Anthropology from Vanderbilt University (2008). Her research integrates paleopathology, mortuary analysis, and isotopic studies to explore topics such as prehispanic trepanation practices, violence in Andean populations, and dietary adaptations in high-altitude environments.
Her work emphasizes community bioarchaeology, examining how bodily practices reflect social cohesion and hierarchy. Key themes include the interplay between health, environment, and identity, particularly in marginal or non-hierarchical societies. She has conducted projects at sites like Copacabana Peninsula (Bolivia) and Salango (Ecuador), analyzing trauma patterns, dental modifications, and burial practices.
Dr. Juengst has received grants including the National Geographic Young Explorer’s Grant and Mellon Latin American Studies Funding. Her publications span International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Andean Past, and edited volumes on bioarchaeological theory. She actively promotes ethical frameworks for skeletal collections and engages in public archaeology through fieldwork and museum collaborations.
Her teaching covers human osteology, bioarchaeology, and the archaeology of identity. Current projects include investigating pre-Columbian communities in Ecuador and the role of cooperation in ancient non-ranked societies.
