One aim of the American School of Prehistoric Research is to support access to archaeological field schools, and in Summer 2025, we were able to do this through a partnership with the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA). The AIA offers scholarships to students planning to participate in archaeological field work for the first time, and…
Siwalik Project
In 1973, David Pilbeam, Henry Ford II Professor of Human Evolution, Emeritus, initiated a project with the Geological Survey of Pakistan to find fossils of early hominins in Pakistan. The project quickly expanded in scope and attracted scientists and students with diverse backgrounds and interests from a broad array of universities and institutions, in the…
Reconstructing the Paleoecology of Turkana Suids
ASPR Postdoctoral fellow Margot Louail, who joined the ASPR in mid-2024, will be using her time as a fellow to study the paleoecology of suids from the Turkana Depression between 3.8 and 1.0 million years ago. Dr. Louail’s research will primarily concentrate on the Shungura Formation and the closely associated Usno Formation in the Lower…
Harvard Summer Program in Kenya
The ASPR is proud to support the Harvard Summer Program in Kenya: a 6-week study abroad that combines hands-on field research with molecular and computational tools to explore ecology, climate, community health, and evolution. Read about our 2024 season! 2024 Season: Video Recaps See more on our YouTube Channel…
American School of Prehistoric Research Science Communication Workshop
ASPR Science Communication Workshop: Application Instructions Intended for students and early career scholars researching Old World prehistory, the American School of Prehistoric Research (ASPR) Science Communication Fellowship offers training and hands-on experience in public writing and multimedia communication. Selected applicants will attend one in- person workshop at Harvard University and several virtual trainings led by…
Harvard Summer Program in Kenya: Week Six
The sixth and final week of the Harvard Summer Program in Kenya began with a day of R&R back at the Eliye Springs Resort on the shores of Lake Turkana, about 10 kilometers from the TBI camp. Monday, July 8th began with a lecture by Emmanuel about primate evolution and anatomy, and in the afternoon,…
ASPR Junior Fellowship 2025
Note for letter of recommendation writers: once an applicant submits their application, letter writers will receive an automated email with instructions detailing the letter of recommendation submission process. Letters of recommendation should be submitted online, through our application system. If any questions arise at this stage, please direct them to calexander@fas.harvard.edu. Thank you!…
Harvard Summer Program in Kenya: Week Five
Week five of the Harvard Summer Program in Kenya began on Sunday, June 30th: our first full day back at TBI after the Lothagam visit. On Sundays, breakfast is served at 8:00am instead of 6:30am. Students had the morning to relax and/or work on readings, and some of us purchased merchandise that had been laid…
Medina Lubisia
Medina served as a teaching assistant during the 2024 season of the Harvard Summer Program in Kenya. She received a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Nairobi in 2018 and a Master of Science degree in Human Evolutionary Biology from Turkana University College in 2024. She is an affiliate of the Turkana Basin…
Horse Burials at an Ancient Nubian Cemetary
In 1919, an ancient horse cemetery was discovered at the site of El-Kurru in modern-day Sudan. Of the 24 burial pits, four were found to have nearly complete horse skeletons. Two of these skeletons, labeled Ku. 211 and Ku. 212, were transported to Harvard University, where they are being studied by ASPR affiliate Dr. Shayla…