Department of Anthropology

Researchers from the University of Washington and Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture will be partners in the newly announced $30M NSF Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledges and Science.  

As the world's best-known fictional archaeologist goes after what may be his last ancient mystery in "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," new generations of real-life archaeologists are ready to dig in with 21st-century technologies and sensibilities. Sara Gonzalez, associate professor of anthropology at the UW, is quoted. Peter Lape, professor of anthropology at the UW, is referenced.

An analysis of foraging societies from around the world has found that women hunt in the vast majority of those looked at, confirming that the idea of gender division in providing food is a myth. Cara Wall-Scheffler, affiliate assistant professor of anthropology at the UW, is quoted.

The four new graduates honored as College of Arts & Sciences Dean's Medalists for 2023 are all working to improve our world, in different ways. 

No one can really describe what milk is -- least of all the people who think most often about it. Melanie Martin, assistant professor of anthropology at the UW, is quoted.

"The COVID-19 pandemic shined a light on the deep need that people feel for human touch and connection in hospital settings. Having relatives peering through windows at their loved ones or unable to enter hospitals altogether exacerbated the lack of human intimacy that is all too common in health care settings" writes Marlaine Gray, affiliate assistant professor of anthropology at the UW.

The Husky 100 recognizes 100 UW undergraduate and graduate students who are making the most of their time at the UW.

In “Woman, Captain, Rebel: The Extraordinary True Story of a Daring Icelandic Sea Captain,” UW professor Margaret Willson chronicles the true life story of the Icelandic female sea captain, Thurídur. Read writer Megan Matti’s interview with Willson in preparation for Willson’s University Book Store reading on March 8. 

Start the new year with lectures, performances, exhibitions and more.

In honor of American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, deepen your learning in American Indian studies, make connections on campus, and celebrate the work of the University of Washington Seattle's College of Arts & Sciences faculty, staff, students and alumni.

In one of the first studies to explore how COVID-19 specifically affects older infants, researchers from the University of Washington and at institutions at four other locations in the Western and Southern U.S. found that the number of infected people in a household was the factor most closely linked with the infant’s likelihood of being infected.

Ukraine's national language is Ukrainian, but many citizens grew up speaking Russian. Does that matter? Professor Laada Bilaniuk studies language and Ukrainian identity.

A few years ago, a tree poacher named Justin Wilke was charged with starting a forest fire while trying to steal a tree. The new documentary "The Maple Cutter" takes a deeper look. The UW's Lynn Thomas, professor of history, and Daniel Hoffman, professor of anthropology and of international studies, are interviewed.

Laada Bilaniuk, professor of anthropology, explains her reaction to watching Ukraine under attack.

A new graduate fellowship in memory of anthropology professor Sam Dubal reflects his commitment to building an anti-racist society.