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Samanti Kulatilake

Office:  B349D 
Phone: 403.440.8758
E-mail: skulatilake@mtroyal.ca

Physical Anthropology, Osteology, Craniometry, Archaeology, Evolution of human diversity, affinities, and adaptations, human dispersal patterns, palaeopathology, mortuary practices. South Asia, Old World.

I have a B.A in Anthropology (Minor Geology) from the University of Manitoba. My Masters (MPhil) and PhD are in Biological Anthropology, from the University of Cambridge (Cranial diversity and the evolutionary history of South Asians).

Research Interests:

  • In my research, I have focused on patterns in the evolutionary history of South Asians from prehistoric to recent times, using techniques and methods in human osteology. I am particularly interested in the relationship between human dispersals, local adaptions, and affinities.
     
  • My current and future research involves the development of a comprehensive database of human skeletal remains from the region.
    In an attempt to disseminate knowledge on Physical Anthropology in Sri Lanka, I have published introductory texts in the Sinhala language.
     
  • I am involved as a Physical Anthropologist in on-going excavation projects in Sri Lanka, where prehistoric and historic human skeletal remains are being recovered. I am currently analysing the human remains excavated in 2007/2008 from a prehistoric burial site in coastal Sri Lanka.