In summer 2024, Kate Brunson and Avnish Kulkarni (Class of 2024) conducted zooarchaeological research at the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, Sweden. Our research project is working to identify animal bones that were excavated 100 years ago from Neolithic and Bronze Age sites from Northwest China by a joint Swedish-Chinese team. During our visit, we identified many bones from common domesticates such as sheep, pigs, and cattle. We also found some surprises such as a rhinoceros bone!
Proffesor Brunson also took a short research trip to China to reconnect with colleagues and make plans for next stages of her research. During her trip, she was able to help Dr. Jada Ko (Brown University) and Proffesor Hu Songmei (Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology) excavate and analyze a Han Dynasty tortoise burial. She also visited the wonderful new Yinxu Museum!