Jack N. Fenner, BS (Michigan State), MS (Purdue), MA (ENMU), PhD (Wyoming)
Research Fellow, School of Culture, History & Language
Email: jack.fenner@anu.edu.au
Biographical statement
I am interested in applying technical and quantitative methods to archaeological materials and sites
to better identify and understand past cultural responses to and drivers of change. Much of my current work
involves using stable isotope analysis of organics from archaeological sites to investigate how people used
the surrounding faunal landscape and to identify environmental constraints. I am also interested in issues related to
the development of fortifications and conflict in island southeast Asia and elsewhere.
In addition to research, I am the ANU Graduate
Convener of Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology, and
supervise the ANH osteological comparative collection and archaeological material quarantine facilities.
Research interests
Faunal analysis, Isotope ratio analysis for archaeology and environmental reconstruction, North American, Australian and Asian prehistory, Human behavioral ecology, Quantitative methods in archaeology, GIS and computer applications, Human universals,
Key publications
- Occasional Hunts or Mass Kills? Investigating the Origins of Archaeological Pronghorn Bonebeds in Southwest Wyoming. American Antiquity 74:323-350, 2009
- (with Carol Frost) Modern Wyoming Plant and Pronghorn Isoscapes and Their Implications for Archaeology. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 102:149-156, 2009
- The use of stable isotope ratio analysis to distinguish multiple prey kill events from mass kill events. Journal of Archaeological Science, 35:704-716, 2008.
- (with Danny N. Walker) Mortality Date Estimation Using Fetal Pronghorn Remains. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 18:45-60, 2008.
- Cross-Cultural Estimation of the Human Generation Interval for Use in Genetics-Based Population Divergence Studies. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 128:415-428, 2005.
Career highlights
Prior to my current continuing position, I was a contract-based Postdoctoral Fellow at ANU. Previously I was a Post-doctoral Research Associate at the University of Wyoming Department of Geology and Geophysics. Prior to switching to archaeology, I spent 15 years working as a computer engineer for several American technology companies.
