Krysta Wilham

MA student

About

My mentors are Dr. Crespo and Phil DiBlasi.

Research interests

Archaeology, bio-archaeology, forensic anthropology, paleopathology, settlement of the Americas, leprosy, Black Death, plague

 

I am interested in the state of health and the spread of disease in different historic and prehistoric populations. More specifically, I like looking at human skeletal remains to find traces of chronic disease or stress markers related to poor health. Most of my research interests lie in the Old World, but I’m currently pursuing a collection here in the U.S. to research the presence and potential causes of external auditory exostoses in prehistoric Native Americans.

 

Field Experience

I participated in Mega Osteology this past summer in Portugal. I gained experience working with fragmented bones, and feel like I learned a lot. After the workshop ended I met up with Dr. Haws and helped out during the last week of his dig in Portugal. Both experiences were challenging, rewarding, and I walked away feeling more experienced in both regards.

 

Publications

As an undergraduate I wrote and presented my senior capstone on the history of ancient Egyptian medical practices. I also co-authored and presented two poster projects: one ancient Egyptian medical practices and another on the uses of Theobroma cacao among the Maya. All projects were presented at Northern Kentucky University’s Celebration of Student Research in April 2011.

Memberships

I am a member of Northern Kentucky University’s Gamma Chapter of Kentucky, of the Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society.

 

Fun Facts

I love to go antique-ing and shop thrift stores for retro and vintage gems.

I like crafting and making things like ornaments and soap, and refurbishing wood furniture.

I play classical guitar, though I am very much out of practice! I got away from it for a few years and recently got back into playing.

I spend many weekends helping out at my in-laws old-fashioned candy shop in Bellevue, KY.