Rachel E. Scott

Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Bioarchaeology, University of Pennsylvania 

SHESC Themes: Biological, Social and Cultural Dimensions of Human Health; Culture, Heritage and Identity

Field Specializations: Bioarchaeology, Body and Identity, European Archaeology, Human Osteology, Identity Formation, Mortuary Practices, Paleopathology, Social Construction of Disease and Disability

Regional Focus: Europe (Ireland and Britain)

Research:
Rachel E. Scott's research investigates the relationship between the physical body and social identity, using case studies from early and late medieval Ireland. For example, she integrates human skeletal, archaeological and historical data to explore the ways in which the early medieval Irish actively created and maintained their individual and community identities. Another project examines late medieval leper hospitals and their associated cemeteries in order to elucidate how and why certain biological diseases become imbued with social meaning, a process in which alteration of the physical body alters a person’s social identity. 
        
Teaching:
Scott teaches a variety of courses in archaeology, physical anthropology and bioarchaeology.  These include Principles of Archaeology, Archaeology of Europe, Human Osteology, Global History of Health and Bioarchaeology of Sex and Gender.

Select Publications:
Mathiew, J. R. & Scott, R. E. (Eds.) (2004). Exploring the role of analytical scale in archaeological interpretation. Oxford: Archaeopress.