Research
HEVA studies the evolutionary history of our species — and advances the science used to reconstruct it. Our work spans human paleontology, archaeology, quantitative and computational methods, and cultural heritage science across Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and the Americas. The priorities and questions below guide our projects; explore where they take place on the map.
Research Priorities
1
Diversification of Homo sapiens and the emergence of modern human anatomy
2
Human paleontology and archaeology of eastern Africa, Southeast Asia, and Pacific America
3
Genetic drift and natural selection in human evolution
4
Bio-cultural change associated with subsistence strategies, from foraging to food production
5
Methodological advances in natural and cultural heritage science
Primary Research Questions
When and where in the fossil and archaeological records do we see humans that look like us?
To what degree is the anatomical variation of our skeletons the result of evolutionary chance and natural selection?
Why are the bodies of hunter-gatherers different than those of individuals from agricultural societies?
What new analytical methods can be engineered, or how can existing methods be modified, to address heritage science problems?
Project Map
Explore the geographic distribution of our projects below. Markers cluster by region as you zoom out; the lab home in Lexington, Kentucky is marked with a star. Hover over a marker for a brief description, or click it to open project details.
