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Thesis Chapters by Hannah E . Matulek, M.S.

The original peopling of the Americas has puzzled researchers for decades. While some evidence po... more The original peopling of the Americas has puzzled researchers for decades. While some evidence points to a single wave of migration, still other data suggests two or more waves. Their reasonable estimated arrival dates range from 14,500 to over 20,000 BP, although some scholars push back their arrival even farther. Drawing from archaeology, genetics, historical linguistics, and physical anthropology, the peopling of the Americas debate encompasses research from a wide range of experts. In this study, craniometric data is examined through the means of the cranial index, defined as the ratio calculated by multiplying the maximum width (XCB) of the head by 100, then dividing by the maximum length of the head (GOL). Cranial indices are known to vary between different regions of the world, suggesting that different ratios represent different geographic affinities of peoples. I examine cranial indices from 112 individuals dating from the Terminal Pleistocene to the Early Holocene found throughout the Americas. These indices are then compared to the 2,524 indices from 30 populations examined in the Howells Craniometric Data Set using basic statistical functions. Results of these tests suggest morphological affinities between certain ancient and modern groups, offering insight into possible links between the two populations.

Papers by Hannah E . Matulek, M.S.

Black and Gold, Jan 26, 2018

Since its origins in the Shang Dynasty nearly 3,000 years ago, traditional Chinese medicine has u... more Since its origins in the Shang Dynasty nearly 3,000 years ago, traditional Chinese medicine has undergone many dramatic shifts and adapted to a wide range of cultural, social, religious and foreign pressures. One of the most notable changes is the attribution of the etiology of disease (as well as general poor health and behaviors) from volatile and dissatisfied external forces to manageable internal forces. This allowed for a flourishing of thought in Chinese medicine, for once granting an individual the power to influence his or her own health. Three religions—Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism—were also introduced to China at this time, all of which promoted varying degrees of self-cultivation. This paper compares ritual incense burning associated with these religions (which had no direct link to traditional Chinese medicine) to the known medical practice of moxibustion. This paper argues that, although not obviously related, both of these entities “healed” the human body, whether corporeally or ethereally, cleansing them of worldly impurities while simultaneously strengthening their connectedness to nature, the “Most High”, and others on the same path.

This lab report details the preliminary findings of the partially-burned clay effigy found at the... more This lab report details the preliminary findings of the partially-burned clay effigy found at the Heckelman site (33Er14) in Milan County, Ohio during the summer 2017 season. Numerous types of artifacts were built into the matrix of this slightly-burned effigy, including deer bone, lithics, charcoal, and a sherd of Mixter pottery. The discovery of this effigy could suggest a previously unknown ceremonial component to this site.

Note: The linked report was completed by the site directors, Dr. Brian G. Redmond and Brian Scanlan of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The results of my report are mentioned on page 26 of the official technical report. Please contact me if you would like to view my full report.

Conference Presentations by Hannah E . Matulek, M.S.

PowerPoint presentation given at the annual Kirtlandia Society Research Meeting, Cleveland, Ohio.... more PowerPoint presentation given at the annual Kirtlandia Society Research Meeting, Cleveland, Ohio. August 12, 2017. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Poster presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, Vancouver, B... more Poster presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. March 28-April 2, 2017. This poster summarizes my senior undergraduate thesis research.

Drafts by Hannah E . Matulek, M.S.

Spatial and Geophysical Surveys of the Amasa Stone Cemetery or Freedom Road Cemetery. Stoneboro, Sandy Lake Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, 2022

In late 2021, representatives of Mercyhurst University's Department of Applied Forensic Sciences,... more In late 2021, representatives of Mercyhurst University's Department of Applied Forensic Sciences, HD Forensics, LLC, Precision Laser and Equipment Incorporated, and LaRoche University, performed geophysical and microtopography surveys of a portion of a historically documented African American cemetery linked to the Underground Railroad community of Liberia, Pennsylvania. Liberia would, in time, be absorbed into the current community of Stoneboro, Pennsylvania; and the cemetery would become known by a variety of names including the Amasa Stone Cemetery and the Freedom Road Cemetery. The 2021 season of exploration was requested by members of the Stoneboro community and represented an entirely volunteer effort. This report includes the results of those examinations, a brief history of the cemetery, and recommendations for future scientific work on the property.

The original peopling of the Americas has puzzled researchers for decades. While some evidence po... more The original peopling of the Americas has puzzled researchers for decades. While some evidence points to a single wave of migration, still other data suggests two or more waves. Their reasonable estimated arrival dates range from 14,500 to over 20,000 BP, although some scholars push back their arrival even farther. Drawing from archaeology, genetics, historical linguistics, and physical anthropology, the peopling of the Americas debate encompasses research from a wide range of experts. In this study, craniometric data is examined through the means of the cranial index, defined as the ratio calculated by multiplying the maximum width (XCB) of the head by 100, then dividing by the maximum length of the head (GOL). Cranial indices are known to vary between different regions of the world, suggesting that different ratios represent different geographic affinities of peoples. I examine cranial indices from 112 individuals dating from the Terminal Pleistocene to the Early Holocene found throughout the Americas. These indices are then compared to the 2,524 indices from 30 populations examined in the Howells Craniometric Data Set using basic statistical functions. Results of these tests suggest morphological affinities between certain ancient and modern groups, offering insight into possible links between the two populations.

Black and Gold, Jan 26, 2018

Since its origins in the Shang Dynasty nearly 3,000 years ago, traditional Chinese medicine has u... more Since its origins in the Shang Dynasty nearly 3,000 years ago, traditional Chinese medicine has undergone many dramatic shifts and adapted to a wide range of cultural, social, religious and foreign pressures. One of the most notable changes is the attribution of the etiology of disease (as well as general poor health and behaviors) from volatile and dissatisfied external forces to manageable internal forces. This allowed for a flourishing of thought in Chinese medicine, for once granting an individual the power to influence his or her own health. Three religions—Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism—were also introduced to China at this time, all of which promoted varying degrees of self-cultivation. This paper compares ritual incense burning associated with these religions (which had no direct link to traditional Chinese medicine) to the known medical practice of moxibustion. This paper argues that, although not obviously related, both of these entities “healed” the human body, whether corporeally or ethereally, cleansing them of worldly impurities while simultaneously strengthening their connectedness to nature, the “Most High”, and others on the same path.

This lab report details the preliminary findings of the partially-burned clay effigy found at the... more This lab report details the preliminary findings of the partially-burned clay effigy found at the Heckelman site (33Er14) in Milan County, Ohio during the summer 2017 season. Numerous types of artifacts were built into the matrix of this slightly-burned effigy, including deer bone, lithics, charcoal, and a sherd of Mixter pottery. The discovery of this effigy could suggest a previously unknown ceremonial component to this site.

Note: The linked report was completed by the site directors, Dr. Brian G. Redmond and Brian Scanlan of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The results of my report are mentioned on page 26 of the official technical report. Please contact me if you would like to view my full report.

PowerPoint presentation given at the annual Kirtlandia Society Research Meeting, Cleveland, Ohio.... more PowerPoint presentation given at the annual Kirtlandia Society Research Meeting, Cleveland, Ohio. August 12, 2017. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Poster presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, Vancouver, B... more Poster presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. March 28-April 2, 2017. This poster summarizes my senior undergraduate thesis research.

Spatial and Geophysical Surveys of the Amasa Stone Cemetery or Freedom Road Cemetery. Stoneboro, Sandy Lake Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, 2022

In late 2021, representatives of Mercyhurst University's Department of Applied Forensic Sciences,... more In late 2021, representatives of Mercyhurst University's Department of Applied Forensic Sciences, HD Forensics, LLC, Precision Laser and Equipment Incorporated, and LaRoche University, performed geophysical and microtopography surveys of a portion of a historically documented African American cemetery linked to the Underground Railroad community of Liberia, Pennsylvania. Liberia would, in time, be absorbed into the current community of Stoneboro, Pennsylvania; and the cemetery would become known by a variety of names including the Amasa Stone Cemetery and the Freedom Road Cemetery. The 2021 season of exploration was requested by members of the Stoneboro community and represented an entirely volunteer effort. This report includes the results of those examinations, a brief history of the cemetery, and recommendations for future scientific work on the property.