Click on the link to get the full details!

New Anthropology Lab at Canyon Country

•  Story in Canyon Country Magazine, March 2010   http://www.scfree.com/pages/canyon_mag

This semester, the College of the Canyons anthropology department unveiled its new laboratory on the

Canyon Country campus, providing a state-of-the-art facility for students to earn lab science credits while

working with the department’s collection of bones, skulls, fossils and artifacts. Located in Quad 5, the

campus’ 660 square-foot anthropology lab features six workstations, which can accommodate as many

as 24 students, perimeter lab tables and counter space and an array of easily accessible glass-front shelves

and cabinetry to store the department’s sizable collection of learning materials. Expected to host as many

as three physical anthropology lab sections each semester, the new facility will also double as a

demonstration room and resource center for the department’s seminar course instructors to host

supplemental student breakout sessions, classroom demonstrations and other active learning exercises.

“Having a room on campus completely dedicated to anthropology is an unheard of luxury at other

community colleges,” said Richard Martinez, chair of the College of the Canyons anthropology department.

“This laboratory will enhance our entire department.” Anthropology is a scientific discipline that

studies human beings from a biological and cultural (bio-cultural) perspective using data, methodology

and research results from biological science and social science and behavioral science disciplines

under the paradigm of evolution. Physical (biological) anthropology studies humans and their animal relatives, both living and

extinct, primarily as species originating in the natural world. By housing an extensive osteological collection of both human and

non-human skulls and bones, fossils and photos directly on campus, lab instructors will now be able to conduct a wider variety

and more in-depth series of experiments and in-class activities — without having to worry about transporting delicate materials

between the college’s two campuses.In addition, the lab’s glass-front cabinetry affords instructors the ability to properly store

and secure delicate learning materials without limiting students’ access to observe such items.“The key is having these materials

easily accessible to both staff and students,” Martinez said. “It’s pointless having all this great stuff if the students can’t use it

effectively.”Designed with non-science majors in mind, anthropology lab courses debuted at College of the Canyons in 2003 as

an alternative course option for students uninterested in the traditional lab science disciplines. As a result, students looking to

satisfy the lab science course requirement needed in order to transfer to a four-year university may opt to enroll in a physical

anthropology lab course instead. Typical lab activities include comparisons of the anatomical features of various primates

using skulls and skeletons, fossils and photos, the study and comparison of early hominids and humans, the forensic

examination of human variation and anthropological genetics.“Anthropological genetics has totally revolutionized the field and is a

large component of the lab work our students will now be able to dive into,” Martinez said. “As a department, our primary

concern is to enhance the hands-on capabilities of our students.”Though students must also complete the prerequisite course

Anthropology 101: Introduction to Physical Anthropology in conjunction with the lab component, they need not to do so

concurrently.“This new lab gives our students the opportunity to complete both the physical anthropology lecture and lab

courses in one easy location,” said Lisa Malley, COC anthropology instructor, “and establishes the anthropology department’s

roots in Canyon Country — cementing our presence here for the future and allowing us to continue to develop a strong academic program.”

Return to Top of Page

Ancient Tatavium Mortar and Pestle donated to College of the Canyons

• Members of the Asher family have graciously donated a Tatavium Indian Mortar and Pestle for COC students to use while studying Anthropology. It was originally discovered on the family ranch in Agua Dulce, now a part of the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area. Weighing in at approximately 200 pounds, the artifact is a rare example of an intact mortar/pestle originally used to process food such as acorn, seeds and various grains.

(Picture Source: COC: The Bottom Line Newsletter)

Return to Top of Page

• The Anthropology department has joined with many others at COC to document stories and experiences from the veterans here in Santa Clarita Valley. Students have already signed up to join faculty to collect oral stories and historical items from these individuals to ensure their deeds don't go unnoticed.

   

  • The mission of the Veterans History Project is to collect and archive the personal recollections of U.S. wartime veterans to honor their service and share their stories with current and future generations. The Project also collects stories from homefront civilians who worked in support of our armed forces.
  • For more information on the Project, visit the Library of Congress website: www.loc.gov/vets

   

• For information on how to participate, please email the Anthropology contact, Richard Martinez

Return to Top of Page

• The department has just added to our osteological collection a wide variety of human and non-human bones.
  • Lab classes will be able to compare anatomical features of various primates by using both the skulls and complete skeletons!
  • Recent archaeological finds like Homo floresiensis and Ardipithecus ramidus are also now a part of our expanding collection!
  • Forensic Anthropology will be even more interesting as we are now able to examine things like blunt/sharp force trauma and cultural modifications.

   

Sound interesting???...... Take the Lab class and find out!!

(entire collection not pictured)

Return to Top of Page

• We are now offering the following Anthropology classes at the Canyon Country Campus in addition to our courses at the  Valencia campus and online!!

-Introduction to Physical Anthropology

-Physical Anthropology Laboratory

-Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Check current class schedule)

-Indians of the Southwestern U.S. (Check current class schedule)

-Indians of California (Check current class schedule)

Return to Top of Page