Yale University’s Department of Anthropology is home to over thirty faculty, affiliates from many other corners of the University, and scores of graduate students. Our research and teaching interests span the globe, many millions of years of prehistory and history, and the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Our Ph.D. graduates go on to teach in universities around the world and to pursue research in a wide variety of academic and non-academic settings. Our undergraduate major draws students with a passion for the study of humanity, both in the broadest terms and in the specific social, cultural, historical, and/or biological contexts that have shaped human pasts and presents–and that will shape humans’ collective futures.
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Professor Richard Burger and Lucy Salazar honored by the Peruvian Government
In December 2024, Richard L. Burger and Lucy Salazar were honored by the Peruvian congress for their exceptional and dedicated contributions to Peruvian history and culture.

Yale Anthropology welcomes new faculty Christen Smith
Dr. Christen Smith joins the Anthropology faculty as Associate Professor with a dual appointment in African American Studies. She is a Black feminist and African diaspora anthropologist whose work explores the multi-sided dimensions of race, gender, violence, performance and Blackness in the Americas.
News
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Jessica Thompson featured in the Yale News
Yale paleoanthropologist Jessica Thompson proposes guidelines for the ethical study of ancient human DNA.
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Professor Richard Burger decorated by the Municipality of Pachacámac
On the occasion of the Municipality’s 450th anniversary, the Mayor of Pachacámac, Peru decorated Richard Burger with formal honors
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Ellery Frahm revisits the origins of obsidian vessels in new publication
New research by Ellery Frahm challenges an old narrative.