Dr Amanda Henry is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Archaeology and a Special Professor for "Evolution of the Human Diet" at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center. She studies the role of plant foods in human evolution, including by using plant microremains from archaeological contexts as markers of diet. She is currently serving as Vice Dean for Research on the Faculty Board.

More information about Amanda Henry

Office days

Tuesday to Friday

Research

My research explores the role of diet in human evolution, with a focus on plant foods. Our dietary behaviors have changed considerably from those of our earliest ape-like ancestors, and novel foods and food processing techniques can be directly linked to the unique biological and behavioral traits that define us today. I use multiple approaches for studying past diets; analyses of archaeological materials for evidence of plant use and food processing, ethnographic research on modern day forager-agriculturalists, and experimental approaches to explore human energetics. All of these data are interpreted using frameworks derived from human behavioral ecology.

Teaching activities

I teach in the Master's program in Archaeological Sciences, primarily the introductory and capstone courses. I also offer internships and supervise BA, MA and RMA theses. If you're interested in doing a project with me, please feel free to send me an email.

Curriculum vitae

I hold a Special Professorship "Evolution of the Human Diet" at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, and an Associate Professor position at the Faculty of Archaeology. I am currently serving as the Vice Dean for Research and Head of the Graduate School for the Faculty of Archaeology. Prior to joining Leiden, I was an Independent Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany. I received my PhD from The George Washington University in 2010.

Publications

Activities