Dr. Michelle Bebber

Dr. Michelle Bebber has degrees in Human Evolutionary Biology (Ph.D.), Experimental Archaeology (M.A.), Interdisciplinary Anthropology (B.A.), and Studio Art (B.A.) with a focus in ceramic art. Dr. Bebber specializes in experimental archaeology and co-directs the Kent State University Experimental Archaeology Laboratory. Her research has been featured on the Discovery Channel, NPR, and Gizmodo, as well as several print media outlets, including Science and Archaeology magazine. Her research involves tool innovation spanning the Lower Paleolithic through incipient metal technologies, as well as ceramic production and function, stone tools, and projectile weaponry. Her current research projects are focused on North American copper use, human aesthetic experience, atlatl innovation, and the archaeology of Oman. 

Research interests

Experimental Archaeology— artifact replication studies; mechanical properties of raw materials; comparative functional efficiency 
Material Culture Evolution—hypothesis driven research designed to better understand variation in ancient material culture including technological innovation, artifact production processes, factors influencing persistence of artifact variants, social learning and transmission of knowledge
Human Behavior—related to: resource exploitation, manufacturing choices, change in production techniques and technological system evolution
Archaeometallurgy—North American copper cultures; metal tool replication and experimental research; Neo-Assyrian Bronze-Iron Age transition; Copper and Bronze forging, casting, smelting and alloying processes
Ceramic Analysis—thin section petrography, temper and paste characterization, XRD, pottery production processes, change in ceramic traditions over time

Dr. Bebber's google scholar profile:

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=CzTCxEcAAAAJ&hl=en

Please email mbebber@kent.edu for a PDF copy of any research paper!