From ancient European caves to modern classrooms in the Sonoran Desert, Mary Stiner’s extensive career has spanned the ages. Her significant contributions to anthropology have now been recognized by the National Academy of Sciences.
Mary Stiner, a Regents’ Professor of Anthropology in the University of Arizona School of Anthropology, is one of 150 new members elected to the National Academy of Science.
Mary Stiner, a Regents Professor at the University of Arizona’s School of Anthropology, is among the 150 esteemed professionals recently elected to the National Academy of Sciences. This organization is a private nonprofit established by Congress, providing critical independent scientific advice to the U.S. government.
Stiner expressed, “Being named to the National Academy of Sciences means a lot to me, to my field and to the School of Anthropology at the University of Arizona. The academy is filled with remarkable people that can share their collective wisdom with the world, and there is a very long history of this group aiding in the development of critical policy that helps American people and communities, and how we articulate as a nation with important world issues.”
Stiner’s academic journey began at the University of Delaware, where she earned degrees in fine arts and anthropology. Despite transitioning to a scientific focus, she continues to practice art.
Her anthropological work has taken her to various countries, with a focus on the Mediterranean and Anatolian Peninsula, covering sites from 10,000 to 500,000 years ago. Her current research delves into the evolution from hunter-gatherer societies to the establishment of early villages.
Reflecting on her career, Stiner noted, “I really enjoyed my work with Neanderthals in particular, which started with my dissertation work in Italy. I started to learn about an alternative form of humanity, which was a beautiful introduction to the Paleolithic Era. At the other end of the timeframe, I recently became involved in studying the foraging way of life during the evolution of early villages in Anatolia.”
Since joining the University of Arizona in 1994 with her husband, Professor Steven Kuhn, Stiner has been a dedicated member of the School of Anthropology.
“The School of Anthropology is really one of the best programs, and not just academically,” Stiner stated. “It is a vibrant department with a long history and strong culture of collegiality, and we have developed wonderful, long-term relationships with other departments. I also love desert ecosystems and think that the Sonoran Desert is one of the most beautiful places on Earth.”
Stiner’s accolades include the Society of American Archaeology book prize in 1996 for “Honor among Thieves: A Zooarchaeological Study of Neanderthal Ecology,” a Leverhulme Trust Visiting Professorship at University College London in 2010, being named a U of A Regents Professor in 2014, and the Fryxell prize for interdisciplinary scientific work in 2021.
Lori Poloni-Staudinger, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, remarked, “I am thrilled that Mary Stiner received this prestigious and well-deserved recognition from the National Academy of Sciences. Mary is a world-renowned scholar, contributing to our top-ranked School of Anthropology through her groundbreaking archaeological research, innovative teaching and student mentoring. We are fortunate to have her at the U of A.”
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