Tracing ancient fertilizing of maize in South America through stable isotopes
Christine Hastorf, Professor
Anthropology
Closed. This professor is continuing with Fall 2024 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Spring 2025.
This URAP project will be working with Professor Hastorf on plant material from the Bolivian highlands that will be processed for stable isotope analysis in order to identify and model the impact of fertilizer on Zea mays, maize, that can be applied on archaeobotanical material.
Role: The chosen student(s) will be trained in the UC Center for Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Laboratory to process and prepare plant material from highland Bolivia that will be analyzed in that laboratory to trace theimpact of fertilizer, wi. The student will read about this procedure and the background of this research and then train to prepare the samples for analysis. They will participate in processing as well as interpreting the evidence once the analysis is completed.
Qualifications: An interest in botany, plant lifeways, and biological analysis will be required. Having taken classes in biology or biochemistry highly encouraged.
Hours: 3-5 hrs
Related website: https://archaeobotany.berkeley.edu
Social Sciences Mathematical and Physical Sciences