Metin Eren
Researchers Suggest New Hypothesis for Hominin Invention of Stone Cutting Tools
The use of stone hammers to produce sharp stone flakes — knapping — is traditionally thought to be a process that ancient humans started doing intentionally or by accident before looking for things, such as animal carcasses and hard fruits, to cut. It is a defining feature of hominins and is seen as…
Experimental collaboration between archaeologists and MeatEater highlights the prevalence of equifinality in archaeological interpretation
Kent State University’s experimental archaeologists, along with those from several other universities, joined forces with the popular hunting, outdoors, and conservation media platform, MeatEater, Inc., for a unique animal processing experiment, shedding new light on ancient stone knives and showcas…
We Are Here for the Students: Anthropology Professor Discusses Importance of Mentorship
Metin Eren, Ph.D., associate professor of archaeology at Kent State University, was recently interviewed on a CITI “On Campus” podcast hosted by Ed Butch and shared his insights on the importance of mentoring students. “It’s something that all faculty need to take very seriously,” Eren said…
Atlatl Weapon Use by Prehistoric Females Equalized the Division of Labor While Hunting: Kent State Archaeology Professors Led the Experimental Study
A new study led by Archaeologist Michelle Bebber, assistant professor in Kent State’s Department of Anthropology, has demonstrated that the atlatl (i.e. spear thrower) functions as an “equalizer,” a finding which supports women’s potential active role as prehistoric hunters.
Despite the Dangers, Early Humans Risked Life-Threatening Flintknapping Injuries
For most, the craft known as flintknapping is a skilled hobby or art form that was thought to occasionally require bandages or stitches. However, new research suggests flintknapping is far more dangerous than previously understood.
Five Kent State Experimental Archaeology Graduates Earn Full-Rides to Grad Schools
Sometimes it just takes a small spark to ignite a fire within you. For Anna Mika, who started as a geology major her freshman year and switched to anthropology the following year, that spark came in 2017 while taking an Anthropology course called North America’s Ice Aged Hunters, taught by Metin I.…
Anthropology Team Brings Home the 2020 Ig Nobel Award for Materials Science
In 2019, a team of researchers in Kent State’s Department of Anthropology published its “prize-winning” research article titled “Experimental replication shows knives manufactured from frozen human feces do not work” in the Journal of Archaeological Science. (Yes, the jokes are seemingly endless, but seriously folks, there is an important underlying message here about evidence-based research and fact-checking!)