Sarah Bender (Class of 2023)

I am currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Vienna. My research explores behavioral flexibility during the Gravettian using site organization and lithic assemblages.

Prior to this, I received my M.S. in Human Paleobiology at The George Washington University, advised by Dr. David Braun in the Stone Age Archaeology Lab. My thesis investigated early stone tool behavior at an Oldowan site called Ali Toyta 2 (Ledi Geraru, Ethiopia). Using high-resolution spatial data (drone/total-station), GIS mapping (QGIS), lithic artifact refitting, and spatial statistics in R, I modeled how lithics and proboscidean remains are distributed across the site in order to test whether a single-carcass butchery event produced distinct activity areas, and what that patterning revealed about hominin transport and decision making. I also conduct research with the Koobi Fora Field School.

USA’s Anthropology program gave me the toolkit I needed to do this work, including hands-on field and lab experience, TA mentorship, and writing and quantitative skills. Small class sizes and real research opportunities taught me CRM best practices and how to present my work confidently. As a first-generation student, the support I received from the USA Anthropology Program was transformative! It turned my curiosity into a career path, and prepared me to thrive in graduate school and collaborative research. I would not be the archaeologist I am today without my time at South. Thank you so much Drs. Carr, Gregoricka, Moberg, and Nelson!