Valerie A. Andrushko, Ph.D.

Department of Anthropology

Southern Connecticut State University

My research focuses on paleopathological evidence of violent trauma, physical stress, and the use of skeletal evidence for understanding changes in sociopolitical complexity in two study regions: central California and the Andean highlands. These projects are based on a biocultural research perspective, studying human remains to better understand issues of diet, health and disease, warfare, social status, and migration. My research explores the relationships between biology and culture and the health impacts of increasing sociopolitical complexity, spanning societies from emerging hierarchical groups to vast empires.