Bioarchaeologist & Forensic Anthropologist

Armando Anzellini, PhD


Headshot of Armando Anzellini

I am a bioarchaeologist, forensic anthropologist, and Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) specializing in human osteology and archaeological sciences. I have surveyed and excavated archaeological sites, prehistoric burials, and historic cemeteries in the United States, the Caribbean, Peru, Ecuador, and Romania, and have conducted research in a variety of disciplines including biogeochemistry, morphometrics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and architectural analyses.

My research lies at the intersection of the physical and social sciences — applying analytical chemistry, biogeochemistry, and finite element analysis to answer questions about human health, embodiment, identity, and inequality in the past and present.

Originally from Venezuela, I am fluent in Spanish and English, and have prepared and presented official reports, peer-reviewed articles, conference presentations, and lectures for diverse audiences in both languages. I have instructed international, federal, and local law enforcement agencies on forensic anthropology and have a number of active projects exploring questions in the fields of bioarchaeology, human skeletal biology, and forensic anthropology. I’m always happy to bring students into my lab, please visit my lab page if you’d like to learn more. I am also available for consultation, please visit my consultation page for more information.

Research Interests

Bioarchaeology, Decolonizing Bioarchaeology, Embodiment of Inequality, Mortuary Practices, Archaeological Science, Archaeological Theory, Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology, Vibrational Spectroscopy, Stable Isotope Analysis, and Quantitative Methods

Education

2022
Ph.D. — Biological Anthropology
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
2016
M.A. — Anthropology
University of Central Florida, Orlando
2013
B.A. with University Honors and Honors in Major — Anthropology
University of Central Florida, Orlando

Academic Appointments

2022–
Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Lehigh University, Dept. of Sociology & Anthropology — Bethlehem, PA
2022
Diversity Dissertation Fellow
Middle Tennessee State University — Murfreesboro, TN
Scholarship

Select Publications

Articles & Book Chapters
2026
Ribera Torró E, Toyne JM, Del Águila R, Ribera Torró J, Galexner J, Anzellini A, Pans M. Extended reality on Chachapoya cliffside necropolises: from digital documentation to public engagement. Open Archaeology 12(1): 20250071.
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2025
Anzellini A. Spectroscopically derived indices for the assessment of natural diagenesis in archaeological bone: A review. Applied Spectroscopy Reviews 60(4): 337–355.
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2022
Znachko CL and Anzellini A. Climate change and the inequity of its biological impacts. In Climate Change and Human Responses, edited by Znachko CL, Anzellini A, Parker K, and Hicks C. Dept. of Anthropology, University of Tennessee: Knoxville, TN, pp. 79–84.
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2020
Anzellini A and JM Toyne. Estimating the stature of ancient high-altitude Andean populations from the skeletal remains of the Chachapoya of Peru. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 171(3): 539–549.
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2019
Anzellini A and JM Toyne. Estimating sex from isolated appendicular skeletal elements of archaeological remains from Chachapoyas, Peru. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 29(6): 961–973.
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2019
Toyne JM and Anzellini A. Bulutların Savaşçıları, Gökyüzündeki Mezarlar: Antik Chachapoya Gömü Uygulamaları. In Memento Mori: Ölüm ve Ölüm Uygulamaları, edited by Büyükkarakaya AM and Aksoy EB. Ege Yayınlari: Istanbul, pp. 455–487.
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2018
Toyne JM, Anzellini A, Epstein Mičulka L, Mejías Pitti I, Puig Castell J and Guinot Castello S. Going vertical: Using vertical progression techniques to explore a cliff necropolis in Late Precolumbian Chachapoyas, Peru. Advances in Archaeological Practice 6(4): 1–14.
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2017
Toyne JM and Anzellini A. Sociedad, identidad y variedad de los mausoleos de La Petaca, Chachapoyas. Boletín de Arqueología PUCP 23: 231–257.
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Books & Edited Volumes
2022
Znachko CL, Anzellini A, Parker K, and Hicks C, editors. Climate Change and Human Responses. Dept. of Anthropology, University of Tennessee: Knoxville, TN.
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Theses
2022
Anzellini A. Intra-skeletal variation in stable isotopes through non-destructive approaches: Applications of the patterns of skeletal remodeling to biological anthropology. PhD Dissertation, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
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2016
Anzellini A. Developing methods for the estimation of stature and their use as a proxy for health among the ancient Chachapoya of Peru. MA Thesis, University of Central Florida.
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2013
Anzellini A. Investigating patterns of interpersonal violence using frequency distributions of cranial vault trauma. Honors in the Major Thesis, University of Central Florida.
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Other Publications
2025
Anzellini A. Report from the 10th International Bone Diagenesis Meeting in Athens, Greece. Paleopathology Newsletter of the Paleopathology Association, December, no. 212: 10–13.
Scholarship

Select Presentations

Invited Lectures
2026
Making Sense of Spectra: Practical Approaches to Bone ATR-FTIR Interpretation. University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Knoxville, TN. March 4
2026
Ethics in the Study of Human Skeletal Remains. Moravian University. Bethlehem, PA. February 27
2025
Plural Realities, Ontologies and Ways of Knowing; with Salomon Velasco LN. International School for Young Astronomers, Yachay Tech University. Urcuquí, Imbabura, Ecuador. July 11
2024
Mortuary practices of the Chachapoya and the necropolis of Diablo Wasi. Sam Houston State University. Huntsville, TX. November 22
2024
La Necropolis de Diablo Wasi y una de sus Osteobiografias. Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodriguez de Mendoza. Chachapoyas, Amazonas, Peru. July 9
2024
Arqueología Forense: Métodos y aprendizaje de las investigaciones de la Masacre de Tulsa, Oklahoma de 1921. Pontifica Universidad Católica del Ecuador. Online Synchronous Lecture. May 8

Conference Presentations
2026
The Liminal Cliffs of the Dead: The Diablo Wasi Necropolis and Ancient Chachapoya Mortuary Beliefs, Peru. Toyne JM, Anzellini A, Pans M, Ribera Torró E. Landscape Archaeology Conference, Bamberg, Germany
2026
Infrared Insights: Using FTIR Spectroscopy to Predict DNA Viability in Burnt Bone Samples. Jasek E, Chatterjee A, Eduardoff M, Mundorff AZ, Monjardez G, Anzellini A*. American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (*Supervising author)
2025
Life and Death on the Northern Andean Coast: Bioarchaeological Investigations of the Province of Manabi, Ecuador. Anzellini A, Salomon Velasco LN, Vasquez Pazmiño J, Delgado Espinoza FG. Annual Rocky Mountain Pre-Columbian Association Research Colloquium, Denver, CO, USA
2025
Burning Bones and Biomolecules: Predicting Quantity and Accuracy of DNA Extraction from Burned Remains. Anzellini A, Eduardoff M, Monjardez G, Mundorff A, Janzen A, Chatterjee A, Hampton S, Jasek E, VanHorn K, Stacy L. Bone Diagenesis Meeting, Athens, Greece
2025
Twins, not twins: A skeletal and CT analysis of mummified nonadults from Diablo Wasi, Chachapoyas, Perú. Toyne JM, Kim P, Guerrero C, Anzellini A. World Congress on Mummy Studies, Cusco, Perú
2025
Social Identity, Class, and Cranial Modification in the Ancient Andes. Francis Z, Anzellini A. American Association of Biological Anthropologists Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD, USA
2025
Bioarchaeological Analysis of Fragmentary Burials from the Site of Julcuy, a Late Archaic Site in Coastal Ecuador. Anzellini A, Salomon Velasco LN, Vasquez Pazmiño J, Delgado Espinoza FG. Society for American Archaeology Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, USA

Courses @ Lehigh University

ANTH 012Introduction to Archaeology and Human Origins
ANTH/LAS/GS 117Archaeology of Latin America
ANTH 118The Science of Archaeology — Archaeological Sciences with Lab Component
ANTH 145Human Evolution
ANTH 227Archaeological Theory
ANTH 397Anthropology of Violence and Conflict
Funding

Grants & Awards

External Grants
2020
Exploring intra-skeletal variation in stable isotope analysis through non-destructive approaches: Applications of the patterns of skeletal remodeling to forensic contexts
Lucas Grant — Forensic Sciences Foundation (FSF). PI: Armando Anzellini; co-PI: Dawnie Steadman  |  $4,410
Internal Grants
2024
Power in Life and Death: Elite Demographics, Identity, and the Embodiment of Inequality at the Cliff Tomb Sites of Chachapoyas, Peru
Faculty Research Grant (FRGAWD295) — Lehigh University  |  $6,000
2019
Alternative Non-Destructive Methods for the Stable Isotope Analysis of Bone
Walter Leitner Award for Research — University of Tennessee, Knoxville  |  $1,237
2013
Investigating Patterns of Interpersonal Violence Using Frequency Distributions of Cranial Vault Trauma
Honors in the Major Grant — University of Central Florida. PI: Armando Anzellini; co-PI: J. Marla Toyne  |  $1,000
Research Infrastructure

Bioarchaeology & Skeletal Biology Laboratory

The Bioarchaeology and Skeletal Biology Laboratory (BASBL) focuses on the use of technology and the physical sciences to study human remains of the past and present, exploring human health, diet, mobility, and social structure, as well as understanding human bone development and adaptation.

Stable Isotopes & Bone Chemistry

Analysis of stable isotopes of nitrogen (δ¹⁵N), carbon (δ¹³C), and oxygen (δ¹⁸O) from the mineral and organic portions of bone to explore diet, migration, and social structure. Bone biochemistry is further characterized using a Raman spectrometer (1064 nm excitation) and ATR-FTIR, with applications as proxies for destructive analyses to minimize invasive methods.

Computational Bone Modeling

Application of Finite Element Analysis and photogrammetry to examine how bone adapts to biomechanical stimulus and how age-related material changes affect skeletal geometry.

The lab welcomes undergraduate and graduate students interested in our work. Contact us at inbasbl@lehigh.edu.

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Public Engagement

Media Coverage

3 December 2024
News article in The Brown & White (Lehigh University) on NAGPRA repatriation work — coordinating with AUM and tribal nations for the return of ancestors and archaeological material. Returning misplaced ancestors at Lehigh to tribal nations.
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26 June 2024
Profile on Lehigh News: Bone Research Studies Romanian Social Structure, Health in Aging.
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17 January 2024
Interviewed as Forensic Anthropology Expert on Cold Case Mysteries of the Lehigh Valley podcast.
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27 September 2023
Interviewed about work and service outside the classroom for The Brown & White, Lehigh University.
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6 February 2023
Interviewed about the use of Artificial Intelligence in the classroom for The Brown & White, Lehigh University.
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Institutional & Community Engagement

Service Examples

Institutional Service — Lehigh University
Ongoing
NAGPRA Repatriation Service and Consultation
Leading coordination with tribal nations and institutions for the return of ancestors and archaeological materials held in university collections.
Ongoing
Member, Faculty and Staff of Color Network
Lehigh University
Ongoing
Member, Faculty and Staff Pride Network
Lehigh University
2022–2025
Member, Faculty Committee on Global Affairs
Lehigh University
2022
Faculty Advisor, IRIS Program
Supporting undergraduate interdisciplinary research.
Professional Service
Ongoing
Peer Reviewer
American Journal of Biological Anthropology; UK Research and Innovation - Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; National Science Foundation; and others
Community & Forensic Service
Ongoing
Human Rights Investigations
Applied forensic anthropology in international human rights contexts.
2019-2022
Forensic Caswork
Trainee and then Primary Analyst for forensic casework processed at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
2019-2022
Forensic Anthropology Training & Consultation
Expert instruction and consultation for international, federal, and local law enforcement agencies on forensic anthropology and human identification.