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Anthropology Open House

Marcella (Right) and Marie(Left) 

Anthropology Open House – “Anthropology is the study of human land at different points in time, it can range from language, to physical forensics, there is a variety of types of Anthropology.

Marcella and Marie are both involved in the Anthropology Department at Foothill College. Marcella has been attending Foothill College for 4 years and Marie will be going onto her third year. The two hosted an open house in order to provide a perspective on what the department has done over the course of the years. The open house consisted of fossils and bones discovered locally and replicas from famous fossils used for research and educational hands on study. Bone cast of famous anthropology finds bones ranging from domestic cats to horses to humans. While believing the concept of, “they were once living beings, we have to make sure we respect them” the two girls also emphasized the importance of history and how it is found through fossils. Marcella and Marie gave their audience a tour of workspace as well as gave provided information to how the anthropology department works and how they acquire and maintain the fossils as well as gave their audience insight based on how Foothill College wishes to run their anthropology department.  With a history of Europeans talking and looting fossils and bones for them to showcase, Foothill wished to approach obtaining Native American bones (NAGPRO) in a way in which built a bond between the culture and the school. Foothill’s Anthropology Department wishes to be respectful and courteous to the cultures wishes by asking permission to hold the fossils until they must be returned the Native American Families in order to make peace.

Marcella and Marie gave insight to which how their experience in this department has been after being asked to describe their experience of participating in a research study in Ireland and Ecuador. The essential purpose of attending the study abroad program to Ireland was to attempt to answer the research questions of “Why is there a castle here? What was its purpose? How was the castle built and how can we figure out to restore it for the community using the discoveries if fossils and bones? According to Marie, having attended Ireland in the previous year, she claimed to have an incredible experience with the joy of being in a new country as well as having the freedom to research on her own with the safety and structure of a class.

 Marcella and Marie also portrayed a sense of passion and interest while describing what they learned and what skills they gained throughout their college experience.  They have learned to create catalog systems, cleaning and maintaining fossils, have store reference tools in order for professors to use them during in class discussion and lessons. Marcella and Marie have also learned to enjoy the concept of giving back through Foothills contributions to the towns in which the students welcomed and taken cared for in Ireland and Ecuador. In Ireland, Foothill contributed in helping create a green house. Additionally, Foothill helped Native Americans helped provide sewing machines to help make school uniforms for children who were attending school. Marcella and Marie wish to implement knowledge to students abroad and at home about Anthropology and the importance of it.