Facilities, Laboratories and Activities

The Department operates three laboratories.  In the Archaeology Laboratory students have the opportunity to work with artifacts of the material culture of past and present native Nova Scotians. The Communications Laboratory is equipped for the study and analysis of linguistic data and language dynamics. The Physical/Forensic Anthropology Laboratory contains bones, casts, and demonstration material for the study of human evolution, human variation and the Forensic application of human skeletal analysis. The Department also has computer facilities for use in the laboratories and in fieldwork.

Fieldwork in Archaeology

The Department usually operates a summer field school in archaeology, during which students participate in survey and excavation at a prehistoric or historic site in Nova Scotia. Occasionally, archaeological field work is available during the academic year.

Publications

The Department published Occasional Papers in Anthropology as a means of circulating research conclusions from all subdisciplines of anthropology.  The Department also published Teaching Anthropology Newsletter (1981 - 2001), which served readers interested in precollege anthropology. The Department published the Canadian Anthropology Society (CASCA) Bulletin (1995 - 98), which provided a current picture of anthropology in Canada every year.

The Prince John Loewenstein Anthropology Award

The Department of Anthropology at Saint Mary's University offers a prize for excellence in anthropological writing. The award is named in honour of Prince John Loewenstein, the founder of the Department. Dr. Loewenstein was awarded a doctorate from the University of Vienna and received post-graduate training from such luminaries as V. Gordon Childe and Mortimer Wheeler. He conducted archaeological research in England, Europe, and Malaya. He came to Saint Mary's University in 1959 and served as Head of the Department until his retirement in 1974 when he was appointed professor emeritus. He died on March 27, 1980.

The competition is open to majors (including honours) students in anthropology at Saint Mary's University. An original essay by the student on any topic of anthropological relevance may be submitted prior to 1 September. Papers submitted for class credit are eligible; however, honours theses are not acceptable in the form submitted for an honours degree. The essay should conform to the style specified in the guide available from the departmental secretary and should be between 5,000 and 7,500 words in length. The essay is judged on its relevance to anthropology, demonstration of familiarity with anthropological reasoning, and stylistic proficiency. Potential writers should have as a goal the production of a "publishable" paper. A student may submit only one essay in any given year and may be awarded only once in his or her enrolment at Saint Mary's University.

The award consists of a cash award, a commemorative medal, acknowledgment on the student's transcript, and the student's name and date of award on a commemorative plaque to be displayed in the departmental office.  Awards, if awarded, will be announced in October.

Interested students are invited to submit essays to the chairperson of the department. Questions should be directed to the student's faculty advisor or to the chairperson.

Anthropology Society

The Anthropology Society, organized by students majoring in anthropology, assists interested students through a program of speakers and films on anthropology and related topics. The Society also provides information on job opportunities and graduate schools and arranges social functions. Visit their website