Page last updated: Tuesday, November 22, 2022

My research has broadly focused on issues of health and well-being in past populations. My primary area of research is in human osteology and more specifically the skeletal biology of past peoples. This research seeks to answer questions regarding the relationships between health and mortality, and changing social, economic and cultural conditions. My research is strongly anchored in the biocultural tradition that recognizes the complex interaction of biological and social factors related to health and disease in populations. In skeletal biology my primary areas of interest are in palaeodemography and growth and development. Most recently, I have been exploring the role of 2D and 3D visualization and modeling for understanding and portraying the past from the archaeological record. My current interests are in the bioarchaeology of medieval and post-medieval Denmark.

Current Research Projects

Reconsidering Old Age in Medieval Denmark: New Palaeodemographic Reconstructions

RD Hoppa, Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba

J Boldsen, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Southern Denmark

G Milner, Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University

The question of how long humans lived in the past has been explored by physical anthropologists primarily through the analysis of human skeletal remains recovered archaeologically and the subfield of palaeodemography. Accurate and reliable estimation of individual chronological age and life history events can be used to help elucidate a picture of overall living conditions and well-being in past populations, especially in light of changing social or environmental conditions over time. This research exams trends in aging adults associated with specific and non-specific indicators of disease and trauma in both rural and urban settings from the early to late Medieval period in Denmark. Four graduate students (3 PhD and 1 MA) in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Manitoba are engaged in thesis research related to this project.

Funding from the University of Manitoba; Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

Previous Research Projects

The City Dwellers: Migration and Health in Medieval Viborg

(link to project on the ADBOU website)

J Boldsen, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Southern Denmark

K Rasmussen. Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of Southern Denmark

G Milner, Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University

RD Hoppa, Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba

Jesper Hjermind, Viborg Museum, Denmark

Peter Leth, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, University of Southern Denmark

This project explores the consequences of environmental, social and economic change on human migration, mortality and morbidity in a tightly defined historical context, Medieval Viborg. Examining through geochemical techniques, where people lived at different times will allow osteological observations on disease experience to be tied to specific historical tendencies in population movement.

Funding from The Danish Council for Independent Research | Humanities (FKK).

The Impact of Socioeconomic Change on Well-Being in Medieval Denmark

RD Hoppa, Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba

J Boldsen, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Southern Denmark

M Fayek, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Manitoba

N Halden, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Manitoba

This project focuses on an osteological analysis of two Medieval Danish cemetery samples with an aim to understanding the impact of social change on the health of these populations.Broadly, the goal is to quantify the demographic transition and its health implications for human populations, in light of an evolving political-economic environment in human society. Data from a variety of sources suggest socio-economic growth in Denmark during the 11th through 13th centuries. However, beginning in A.D. 1300, population pressure, and the subsistence changes, exacerbated by major epidemics, resulted in deserted farms, the abandonment of marginal lands and population decline. Historical documentation suggests that up until the mid 14th century, subsistence economy was primarily grain cultivation. After this time, subsistence economy shifted to raising cattle, both for beef and dairy products. It is unclear, however, the extent to which this change affected overall patterns of nutrition and health within the population. Through an osteological analysis of the skeletal remains, this project will explore differential health and mortality between the samples and link those differences to the changing socio-economic environment of the time. Five graduate students (3 PhD and 2 MA) in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Manitoba have undertaken thesis research related to this project.

Funding from the Canada Research Chairs Program; Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

A Morphometric Assessment of Osteological Indicators of Personal Reconstruction from CT Data

RD Hoppa, Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba

N Lynnerup, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen

Forensic medical imaging data provides a unique opportunity to examine non-invasively, the age related changes in various area of the skeleton and assess the accuracy of sexual dimorphic traits relative to known sex. The real benefit for this approach for refining age estimation techniques for both archaeological and forensic applications is the ability to make use of reference material non-invasively from modern data. Thus we can examine data from both post-mortem and clinical samples in order to better understand the processes that are commonly used to estimate age in skeletal samples. A random sample of post-mortem CT datasets of individuals of documented age and sex is being used to validate a variety of published methods for personal reconstruction from the skeleton. Two MA students and 1 PhD student at the University of Manitoba were involved in this project for their thesis research.

Funding from the Canada Research Chairs Program.

Biological Anthropology of the Peoples of Akhmim, Egypt

I am collaborating with Dr. Jonathan Elias of the Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium (AMSC) on reconstructing the biological profile of the ancient peoples of the Akhmim in Egypt. A major portion of this project is related to facial reconstruction of the peoples of Akhmim, based on CT scans of Akhmimic mummies. Further details of this project can be seen on the project page for the Bioanthropology Digital Image Analysis Laboratory.

Funding from the AMSC and the Canada Research Chairs Program.

Evaluating Age Estimation Techniques on a Documented Sample of Modern Human Teeth

RD Hoppa, Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba

Teeth of known age and sex are being collected in collaboration with Dr. Curran in the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Manitoba. Exploration of various previously published methods of age and sex determination based on the dental tissues in being explored using this sample. In addition, a detailed study of inter-tooth variation in cementum annulation counts is being examined using digital imaging techniques to count the annual increments. Lisa Lefever’s MA thesis research examined the structure and biochemical make-up of cementum annulations in human teeth.

Funding from the Canada Research Chairs Program

3D-Printing of Human Biological Structures for Student Learning

RD Hoppa, Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba

T Klonisch, Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba

The objective of this two year project (2005-07) is to use state-of-the art 3D-printing technology to model human anatomical structures (macro and microscopic) from modern medical imaging data, for enhanced student learning and training in human biology and anatomy. The 3D models will provide students the unique ability to visualize in a simple and hand’s-on manner, complex biological structures. Colour coding and labelling built into the 3D printing process will be used to highlight regions of interest and augment the learning experience of students examining the models.

Funding from the University of Manitoba Strategic Program Development Fund.

Micro-chemical Analysis Teeth

N Halden, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Manitoba

RD Hoppa, Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba

Teeth and dental tissues are a unique source of data for understanding growth within an individual. Teeth are particularly resilient and tend to survive well in the archaeological record, and teeth are formed by incremental structures, that once formed do not undergo further remodelling through life. Thus, teeth provide information about environmental change and individual life histories. While we can now easily get spatially resolved chemical records, we have yet to relate changes in the tooth chemistry to growth structures in the teeth or to individual life history events or environments. The first, and principle objective of this research, is to relate chemical variations to observed incremental growth structures in teeth. The second objective is to understand the potential for, and extent of, trace element uptake and migration within the enamel, dentin and cementum of the tooth. This research is being undertaken on a modern sample of documented age teeth (see below).

Funding from University of Manitoba Research Grants Program, Canada Research Chairs Program.

Establishment of a Digital Archive of the C. Thomas Shay Archaeobotanical Collection

RD Hoppa, Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba

G Monks, Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba

The objective of this pilot project is to provide a digital archive of a portion of the C. Thomas Shay Archaeobotanical Collection housed in the Department of Anthropology, which will be available to researchers as a virtual reference collection of Manitoba botanical remains. This is targeted primarily for archaeologists, but may be of broader interest to researchers in other areas including ecology, environmental studies, botany and zoology.

Funding from Manitoba Heritage; Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba

Children and Childhood in Human Societies (CCHS)

Shelley Saunders (principal investigator), Department of Anthropology, McMaster University

The Children and Childhood in Human Societies (CCHS) cluster is a group of anthropologists, archaeologists, human biologists and historians who share research interests in the lives, health, biology, environment and culture of children, in contemporary, historical and archaeological societies. They are drawn from seven Canadian universities (located across the country), the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and four international institutions.

Funding from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC, Strategic Research Clusters Development Grants).

Development of a Microsoft Access database and Tablet PC pen/ink user interface for human skeletal biology

RD Hoppa, Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba

Programming developed by Jeff Godin and Ryan Chuchmuch

Human osteologists record a variety of information (measurements, qualitative scores, observation of presence/absences and annotations) for human skeletal remains when analyzed from archaeological or forensic contexts. Depending on the circumstances this can be done in the field in situ, in a field lab or ideally in a research laboratory. The typical approach is to use a series of prepared paper recording sheets for various kinds of data, each with pre-defined spaces for short response data, as well as annotations/notes and rough drawings. This information is then archived in paper format and the data (or relevant components) transcribed into a spreadsheet or database format for analytical purposes. This project is to develop a relational database from a standard set of data entry record pages, and create a Tablet-PC, pen-based user interface that mimics the old paper based recording system, but translates the data from hand writing directly into the relevant variables in the database. This eliminates the need for data transcription, and allows for real time analysis of data as records are entered. Long term goals of the project upon completion of the interface, is to incorporate data manipulation and analytical tools common in osteological research, directly into the interface.

This project was initiated through the University of Manitoba, Department of Computer Science Industrial Project program. Funding support was made through the Canada Research Chairs program.

3D Imaging in Anthropological Research: Acquisition, Analysis and Dissemination

A Nelson, Department of Anthropology, University of Western Ontario

RD Hoppa, Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba

C White, Department of Anthropology, University of Western Ontario

G Vascotto, Integrated Manufacturing and Technologies Institute, NRC

S Lang, Integrated Manufacturing and Technologies Institute, NRC

Digital imaging is more and more becoming an integral part of data acquisition and analysis in biological anthropological research. Traditional applications of imaging have been in quantification, recording, enhancement and interpretation. Quantification of skeletal data, in particular measurement from both macroscopic images (e.g. lesions, cutmarks etc) and microscopic images (e.g. dental microstructures, osteon remodelling) as well as medical imaging (e.g. radiographs, CT, MRI) are widely used in biological anthropology. Anthropologists have also taken advantage of more advanced techniques, such as fragment identification and reconstructing fossil specimens that have been deformed through geological processes. Digital imaging and particularly 3D imaging is emerging as an important anthropological tool. The question is: how can we make use of these emerging technologies to aid or enhance research in physical anthropology.

This two day workshop brought together international experts in the field of image analysis as it can be applied to a variety of research areas in physical anthropology. The workshop was attended by over 75 faculty and students in physical anthropology interested in or currently using 3D imaging technology. Click here to go to the website for the workshop.

Funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (PI: Andrew Nelson).

Establishment of the Bioanthropology Digital Image Analysis Laboratory

RD Hoppa, Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba

In 2001 Dr. Hoppa established the Bioanthropology Digital Image Analysis Laboratory (BDIAL). Here, Dr. Hoppa and his students are exploring innovative ways of visualizing, analyzing and interpreting the biology of past peoples and related archaeological evidence. In addition, the unique facilities of the BDIAL are the basis of a number of ongoing partnerships with other researchers and units including Architecture, Medicine, Biosystems Engineering, the Manitoba Museum and the Virtual Reality Centre. For additional information on what’s happening at the BDIAL click here to go to the lab’s dedicated website.

Funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Manitoba Innovation Fund, Thomas Sill Foundation, Winnipeg Foundation, University of Manitoba

A Glimpse of the Past: Innovative Approaches to Understanding A Piece Of Manitoba Cultural Heritage

RD Hoppa, Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba

G Monks, Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba

K Brownlee, Historic Resources, Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism

Anthropological reconstructions of archaeologically recovered materials from Canada form an integral part of interpreting the cultural heritage of Manitoban Aboriginal populations. Too often, remains from sites excavated in the past, have little extensive analysis undertaken that is presented in a form relevant and accessible to the Aboriginal community. This project was developed in order to make use of the latest anthropological research methods to fully explore the remains of a small collection of human skeletal and cultural remains curated by the Department of Anthropology at the University of Manitoba.

The Eriksdale archaeological collection consists of the skeletal remains of two individuals and associated artifacts. RCMP officers removed these remains in June 1971 after accidental discovery in a Department of Highways 'borrow-pit' just east of Eriksdale, and the University of Manitoba has housed these remains since this time. This collection of remains and artifacts will reveal exciting new information on Aboriginal people living 3500 years ago in Manitoba. This burial has the earliest Pelican Lake point ever found in Manitoba, worked bird-bone tubes and number of other unique bone and shell artifacts never seen before in Manitoba. The research is approved and supported by the Lake Manitoba First Nation.

Funding from Manitoba Heritage, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Canada Research Chairs Program.

Historical Interactions of Environment, Behaviour and Mortality among the Western James Bay Cree.

RD Hoppa, Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba

DA Herring, Department of Anthropology, McMaster University

R Preston, Department of Anthropology, McMaster University

L Sattenspiel, Department of Anthropology, University of Missouri-Columbia

A variety of sources in both the academic and public sectors recognize the decreasing health and well being of Aboriginal peoples in Canada during the last century. The primary changes include a shift from infectious to chronic diseases linked to an integrated web of social and environmental transformations. Although this general pattern of health and mortality is frequently noted, there are only a few studies that have empirically examined the historical development of this phenomenon. More importantly, this general pattern has been applied nationally to the experience of Aboriginal peoples as a whole, without substantive evidence that changing patterns of disease and mortality were actually alike from community to community. The central question to be explored in this research is: how consistent and homogeneous were changes in health and disease in Aboriginal communities during this transition? This project addresses this issue through a broad examination of the historical interaction of environment, behaviour and mortality Moose Factory and Fort Albany in the central Subarctic. Ethnohistoric, demographic, and ecological data covering a period of 150 years (1820-1970) were collected and analysed from Anglican Church of Canada parish registers, Hudson's Bay Company Archives records, and National Archives of Canada and Medical Services Branch files.

Funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the National Science Foundation (PI: Lisa Sattenspiel), and McMaster University Arts Research Board Grant (PI: D Ann Herring).