Photo by Christine Larsen

Clark Spencer Larsen

Clark Spencer Larsen is a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Anthropology at The Ohio State University. A native of Nebraska, he received his B.A. from Kansas State University and M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. Clark’s research is in bioarchaeology, skeletal biology, and paleoanthropology. He has worked in North America, Europe, and Asia. He has taught at the University of Massachusetts, Northern Illinois University, Purdue University, and the University of North Carolina. Since 2001, he has been a member of the faculty at the Ohio State, where he was department chair from 2001–2017. He teaches introductory physical anthropology, osteology, bioarchaeology, and paleoanthropology. Clark has served as president of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists and as editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Physical Anthropology. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences as well as the National Academy of Sciences. In addition to Our Origins, he has authored or edited 25 books and monographs, including Bioarchaeology: Interpreting Behavior from the Human Skeleton, Skeletons in Our Closet, Advances in Dental Anthropology, and A Companion to Biological Anthropology. 

Clark Spencer Larsen

Clark Spencer Larsen is a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Anthropology at The Ohio State University. A native of Nebraska, he received his B.A. from Kansas State University and M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. Clark’s research is in bioarchaeology, skeletal biology, and paleoanthropology. He has worked in North America, Europe, and Asia. He has taught at the University of Massachusetts, Northern Illinois University, Purdue University, and the University of North Carolina. Since 2001, he has been a member of the faculty at the Ohio State, where he was department chair from 2001–2017. He teaches introductory physical anthropology, osteology, bioarchaeology, and paleoanthropology. Clark has served as president of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists and as editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Physical Anthropology. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences as well as the National Academy of Sciences. In addition to Our Origins, he has authored or edited 25 books and monographs, including Bioarchaeology: Interpreting Behavior from the Human Skeleton, Skeletons in Our Closet, Advances in Dental Anthropology, and A Companion to Biological Anthropology. 

Books by Clark Spencer Larsen

  • Our Origins

    Clark Spencer Larsen

    Fifth Edition, Paperback, 2019

    The best introduction to what’s fascinating and relevant about anthropology today.
  • Our Origins

    Clark Spencer Larsen

    Fifth Edition, E Book, 2020

    The best introduction to what’s fascinating and relevant about anthropology today
  • Our Origins

    Clark Spencer Larsen

    Sixth Edition, Paperback, 2025

    The latest discoveries in biological anthropology, made relevant for all students
  • Essentials of Biological Anthropology

    Clark Spencer Larsen

    Sixth Edition, Paperback, 2025

    The latest discoveries in biological anthropology, made relevant for all students