Biography

Mark Clemente is a current PhD student specializing in biological anthropology at the University of Central Florida. He received his B.A. in Anthropology with a double minor in History and Classical Civilizations at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. He later received his MSc in Bioarchaeology at the University of York in York, England. Mark’s research employs stable isotopic analysis using carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen to understand differences in diet and mobility in past populations. His master’s research focused on reconstructing weaning patterns and dietary trends at a Bronze Age cave site in Teruel, Spain. His current research, under the supervision of Dr. J. Marla Toyen, focuses on the dietary and mobility trends in the Azores, islands in the Atlantic Ocean owned by Portugal. This research focuses specifically on the period known as the Iberian Union, when Spain reconquered Portugal after a succession crisis in the 16^th century left the country without a king. As an isolated archipelago, the Azores were the last dependency to succumb to Spanish rule, so this research seeks to compare dietary and mobility trends between the islands and mainland Portugal to understand how this time period differentially affected each location. This project combines carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen isotopes, as well as paleopathological data in the Azores, with comparative samples throughout mainland Portugal to understand the effects of isolation and colonialism within the Azores.

• Research Interests/Specializations