Abstract

This Independent Study presents the first published report of human remains from the College of Wooster’s Pella Collection. The remains were excavated from the archaeological site of Pella, Jordan, by the College of Wooster in 1967. They were subsequently brough to the United States, where they have remained in storage ever since. This project performs an osteological analysis of the remains, as well as a paleoenvironmental analysis of ancient Jordan to investigate the relationship between paleoclimate proxy records and archaeologically-derived narratives of the ancient Near East. The results of the two analyses are examined through the theoretical lens of material agency, in order to best contextualize their long and complicated histories. This study creates biological profiles for the thirteen identified individuals, and explores the different meanings attributed to the human remains across time and in different sociopolitical contexts. Similarly, the materiality of climate reconstruction is explored in order to accurately evaluate the applicability of paleoclimatic records. This project will hopefully serve as a starting point for future bioarcheological and paleoenvironmental research on the Pella Collection.

Advisor

Monetti, Lisa

Second Advisor

Wiles, Greg

Department

Archaeology; Earth Sciences

Keywords

bioarchaeology, Pella, material agency, paleoclimate

Publication Date

2025

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2025 Michail Protopapadakis