Valerie Haskins

Val Haskins studies prehistoric cultures around the world, especially in the Americas, the Mediterranean and Near Eastern regions. As a bioarchaeologist, she investigates skeletal and mummified remains, recording evidence of disease and trauma. She uses forensic anthropological techniques to help identify contemporary human remains, and often assists the New York State Police. Her previous experience includes the Smithsonian and Illinois State museums; work as an archaeologist for the Commonwealth of Kentucky; archaeological fieldwork across the U.S., Greece, Jordan, Central America and elsewhere; cave archaeology; and as a production assistant for National Geographic and the Discovery Channel. 

Bachelor's degree in Education and Psychology from DePauw University, 1979; master's degree in Anthropological Archaeology and all coursework for Ph.D. completed from Washington University in St. Louis, 1988; undergraduate and graduate studies included coursework in Greece, Egypt and England, as well as a fellowship at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.

Val loves to travel! Her work and interests have taken her to nearly 50 countries around the world. She has taught more than 20 International Ed classes, which included travel abroad. As a result, she has been able to study a variety of cultures, both contemporary and ancient. She devours books on many topics. Originally from the Midwest and Southeast, she feels fortunate to now live for more than 25 years in such a beautiful part of the country.