معرفی
Vaughan Grimes is a Professor in the Department of Archaeology at Memorial University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. His research in archaeological science integrates stable isotope analysis (carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, strontium) of skeletal tissues with traditional osteological methods to reconstruct past human and animal subsistence, migration, and adaptation patterns.
Grimes' work develops isotopic methodologies for tracking seasonal mobility in caribou and humans, establishing regional baselines for migration studies. Key projects include biomolecular analysis of Dorset and Beothuk populations in Newfoundland, dietary reconstructions at Maya sites, and isotopic mapping for Mediterranean and East African contexts. Recent work on Coast Salish woolly dogs combines genomics with Indigenous knowledge to document specialized husbandry practices.
His publications demonstrate methodological innovations in compound-specific isotope analysis, intra-tooth sampling protocols, and integration of isotopic data with genomic and archaeological evidence. Current research examines plague evolution through ancient Yersinia pestis genomics and refines lead isotope interpretation in bioarchaeological contexts.
Laboratory facilities at Memorial support isotopic ratio mass spectrometry, ancient DNA analysis, and osteological examination. Grimes directs field projects in Newfoundland, Guatemala, Portugal, and Denmark. He mentors students in isotopic applications to archaeological questions and develops best practices for biomolecular archaeology.
Future work focuses on multi-isotopic frameworks for studying animal domestication and refining isoscape models for improved mobility reconstruction in archaeological populations.
