Jocelyn S. Williams PhD

I am a human bioarchaeologist with expertise in stable isotope analysis, skeletal biology, paleopathology and forensics. I work primarily with mummies in South America, but I have also conducted research in Mesoamerica, the Caribbean and North America. My research is focused primarily on food and health, but I am also interested in human mobility and communities particularly during periods of political/cultural transition (e.g., colonization) and environmental change/catastrophe.  I have a particular interest in infant feeding practices (breastfeeding and weaning) and the biological, cultural, and social impact of Inka imperialism and Spanish/British colonialism on both ancient and living communities. My research is influenced by theories such as: queer theory, feminist theory, the biocultural approach, the archaeology of communities, the bioarchaeology of colonialism and the bioarchaeology of care.