Anthropology Colloquium Series: Exploring Relationships between Entheseal Changes and Documented Life Histories
Ever wonder what bones can tell us about someone’s life? Dr. Emilie Wiedenmeyer, a biological anthropologist and forensic specialist, explores how subtle changes in our skeletons—specifically where muscles attach to bones—can reveal detailed insights into a person’s physical activity and life history. Known as “musculoskeletal markers” or “entheseal changes,” these tiny skeletal features are gaining attention not only in anthropology but also in forensic science, where they may help solve modern mysteries. Dr. Wiedenmeyer’s research uses both historic and modern skeletal collections to examine how these bony changes might reflect socioeconomic disparities, as well as their potential application in identifying unknown individuals.
The UAF Department of Anthropology is proud to host Dr. Wiedenmeyer as part of our Anthropology Colloquium Series.
Holding a Ph.D. in Applied Anthropology from Texas State University, Dr. Emilie L. Wiedenmeyer has extensive field and laboratory experience, including forensic work along the U.S.–Mexico border and collaborations with law enforcement and humanitarian agencies. Currently an Assistant Professor at Troy University, she brings an interdisciplinary and ethics-focused perspective to understanding the body as a record of lived experience. Her work blends cutting-edge science with a deep sense of public service—showing us how our bones carry stories of who we are and the lives we've lived.
About the Anthropology Colloquium Series at UAF
The Anthropology Colloquium Series is a vibrant platform for exploring the wide-ranging field of anthropology—from local Indigenous lifeways to global issues like migration, conflict, and identity. These free, public events connect students, faculty, and the community with leading thinkers and practitioners in archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistics, and biological anthropology.