Darlene Weston: Associate Professor at Department of Anthropology, UBC Faculty of Arts

Associate Professor

Faculty of Arts

Research Classification

Anthropology

Research Interests

Archeological Data Analysis

Bioarchaeology

Biological Anthropology

Osteoarchaeology

Paleodemography

Paleopathology

Relevant Thesis-Based Degree Programs

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Research Options

I am interested in and conduct interdisciplinary research.

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Recruitment

Looking to recruit: Master's students

Desired start dates: 2021

Other options:

I support public scholarship, e.g. through the Public Scholars Initiative, and am available to supervise students and Postdocs interested in collaborating with external partners as part of their research.

I support experiential learning experiences, such as internships and work placements, for my graduate students and Postdocs.

I am open to hosting Visiting International Research Students (non-degree, up to 12 months).

I am interested in supervising students to conduct interdisciplinary research.

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ADVICE AND INSIGHTS FROM UBC FACULTY ON REACHING OUT TO SUPERVISORS

These videos contain some general advice from faculty across UBC on finding and reaching out to a potential thesis supervisor.

Graduate Student Supervision

Doctoral Student Supervision

Dissertations completed in 2010 or later are listed below. Please note that there is a 6-12 month delay to add the latest dissertations.

Using shape analysis and human variation to better predict sex in the human coxal bone (2020)

Metric methods of sex estimation are often less powerful than visual methods because linear measurements represent too may isometric measures of body size and lack sufficient allometric measures of body form (size and shape). This study uses geometric morphometrics to identify 17 landmarks that most effectively represent sex-based shape in right and left coxal bones (n = 394, f = 191, m = 203), these are: the anterior superior iliac spine; posterior superior iliac spine; posterior inferior iliac spine; iliac crest; apex of the auricular surface; greater sciatic notch; ischial spine; superior, inferior and distal points on ischial tuberosity; superior, inferior and midpoint on the symphyseal face; arcuate eminence; ischiopubic ramus; and posterosuperior and anterosuperior points on the acetabular rim. The first and second principal components (PCs) correctly predicted sex in 98.5% of cases; better than previous studies on whole coxal bone sex-based shape. Linear measurements from Langley et al. (2016) that correspond with the 17-landmarks were used to generate a reliable discriminant function (DF) equation and logistic regression model (LRM) for sex estimation. The DF equation correctly predicted sex 99.7% of the time in cross-validation, the LRM correctly predicted sex in all individuals. Both equations accounted for allometric size, isometric size, and fluctuating asymmetry to help discern sex from other variants of shape. When tested on an independent population (n = 120; f = 60/60, m = 60/60), the DF equation correctly predicted sex with 99.2% accuracy (f = 191/191, 100%, m = 202/203, 99.7%), and the LRM correctly predicted sex in all test specimens.Measurements and landmarks were further tested for use in fragmented coxal bones. The most successful DFs and LRMs accurately predicted sex between 98.7 – 99.2% for measurements representing coxal bones completeness between 50-25%. DF and LRM equations representing coxal bones no less than 25% complete predicted sex with similar accuracies (DF = 99.0%; LRM = 99.2%) and correctly assigned 100% of the test population. These equations excelled at sex estimation because the measurements account for variations in sex, size (allometry and isometry) and fluctuating asymmetry. These DF and LRM equations are recommended for forensic applications.

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Master's Student Supervision

Theses completed in 2010 or later are listed below. Please note that there is a 6-12 month delay to add the latest theses.

The Kulleet Bay mass grave (2018)

This bioarchaeological study was undertaken in partnership with Stz’uminus First Nation and draws on forensic and osteological methodologies for the analysis of 153,386 cremated human bones found buried together in a mass grave. Archaeological context is integrated with the bioarchaeological results to understand the various dimensions of a mass cremation grave discovered during 2004 sewer line excavations in the traditional ancient Stz’uminus village of Kulleet Bay. Analyses of the thermally altered skeletal bone indicate fleshed bodies were intensely cremated with sustained temperatures. Vertical gradation of temperature altered matrices were observed in the stratigraphic profile. Archaeological and osteological evidence point to an in situ cremation event of fleshed corpses who suffered a mass death, radiocarbon dated to 2407 cal BP. Skeletal pathologies consistent with poor health and also potentially related to disease processes are perhaps indirect evidence of the agent of mass death. No evidence of conflict or natural environmental disaster is present to support alternative causes. This mass death event correlates precisely to the transition from Locarno to Marpole Phases ca. 2400 BP. Radiocarbon dated wood samples and a lack of artifacts dating from 2400 BP to the post contact period support a period of abandonment following the cremation event, when trees re-established in this locality within the village. Corpse treatment and mortuary processes related to the grave construction highlight social dimensions of the survivors’ attitudes, who possibly viewed the dead not as enemies or ‘foe’ but as contaminated, resulting in a mortuary treatment outside the norm of traditional Coast Salish funerary practice.

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Publications

Darlene Weston's Profile

ORCID Profile

Membership Status

Member of G+PS
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Program Affiliations

Anthropology

Academic Unit(s)

Department of Anthropology

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Darlene Weston