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Murphy scientist explores ancient phenomena

by | Mar 5, 2026 | Latest

Skulls found at a site in China shows intentional modification to elongate the cranium. Courtesy Dr. Qian Wang

Dr. Qian Wang of Murphy has made several startling discoveries as he travels the globe to broaden scientific knowledge of how people and their cultures evolved.

A paleoanthropologist, Wang is a professor in biomedical sciences at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas.

His published research has included a woman’s skull with a toxic bright red mineral painted on her teeth and a study of skeletal remains showing the practice of intentionally deforming infant skulls continued at one site for 7,000 years.

Wang initiated Global History of Health Project – Asia Module in 2018, an international collaborative effort that aims to learn more about ancient humans and how their health varied through environmental and social changes. That includes examining skeletal collections from China, Japan, Mongolia, India and other countries. 

Last year, Wang discovered the first and only known example of cinnabar, mercury sulfide, used to stain teeth. The skull was that of a young woman buried 2,200 years ago in China.

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