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Learning about ancient peoples through stable isotope analysis

Season 4
Episode #3
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In this episode of It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science, UNM Anthropology professor Keith Prufer and PhD Student Nadia Neff join the show to discuss a pair of recent papers. Neff published groundbreaking research last summer regarding ancient maize farmers, and the two collaborated on a paper that was released on Sept. 22 looking at the shifts in farming in the Mayan Lowlands. The pair discuss their background in the field and how the resources at UNM allow them to answer these questions.

About Our Guest(s)

Keith Prufer

Keith Prufer is a professor of Anthropology at The University of New Mexico. At UNM since 2007, Prufer is also a core faculty member in the Center for Stable Isotopes, where he runs the radiocarbon lab.

Nadia Neff

Nadia Neff is an anthropology PhD student at The University of New Mexico. Her research interests include the bioarcheology and historical ecology of Mesoamerica, human-environment interactions, ZooMS and stable isotope analysis,

Hosted by UCAM's Cameron Goeldner

Carly Bowling headshot

Cameron Goeldner is a senior public relations specialist on The University of New Mexico’s Communication and Marketing Team (UCAM). In addition to his work producing It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science, he also produces stories, photos and videos for the UNM Newsroom.

Goeldner, who attended UNM, won multiple New Mexico Press Association Awards while at the Valencia County News-Bulletin before a stint designing newspapers, including the Denver Post, for MediaNews Group. As the newest member of the UCAM team, Goeldner is excited to help spread the word about the incredible research happening at The University of New Mexico.