Mapping ancient human migration on the Baja Peninsula

Dissertation:
By Dr. Colleen B. Young—University of Columbia, Missouri, 2021

How do human interactions with landscapes shape anatomy over generations?

Anthropologist Dr. Colleen Young spent months living on the Baja peninsula, tracing the routes and exploring the archaeological sites of the ancient Pericu and Cochimi peoples. Her dissertation focuses on how heat, aridity, and maritime adaptations shaped these humans’ anatomy.

I worked with Colleen to create a map illustrating her research. We explored several options before arriving at final design decisions, like the icons for archaeological sites and arrows indicating movement along rivers that connect mountains to the coast. This was my first map.