Brenda Baker

Brenda Baker’s research encompasses bioarchaeology, mortuary archaeology, human osteology, and paleopathology, emphasizing the investigation of human skeletal remains within their archaeological contexts to reconstruct past lifeways and the health status of ancient people.  Professor Baker directs the Bioarchaeology of Nubia Expedition (BONE) in northern Sudan, funded previously with a multi-year grant from Qatar Museums as part of the Qatar-Sudan Archaeological Project. She has also received grants from the Institute for Bioarchaeology, National Science Foundation, Packard Humanities Institute, and the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research. She has been the bioarchaeologist for the University of Pennsylvania Museum-Yale University-Institute of Fine Arts, New York University Expedition to Abydos (1988-2013) conducting burial excavation and analysis of human remains from both cemetery and settlement contexts at this important ancient Egyptian site. She is also the bioarchaeologist for Princeton University's expedition at Polis, Cyprus (since 2005), where she has focused on burials from two medieval basilicas. Baker has also participated in excavations in the southwestern, midwestern, and northeastern U.S. Other research interests include the impact of contact between Europeans and Native Americans through analyses of health status and mortuary practices, and the differential diagnosis of disease in past populations, particularly concerning treponematosis (syphilis, bejel, and yaws) and tuberculosis. 

Field Specializations:   Bioarchaeology, Human Osteology, Paleopathology, Mortuary Behavior

Regional Foci:   North Africa (Egypt and Sudan), Cyprus, North America (Midwest, Northeast, Southwest)