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Julia Anne Lee-Thorp, FBA (born 20 April 1951) is a South African archaeologist and academic. She is Head of the Stable Light Isotope Laboratory, Professor of Archaeological Science and Professor of Bioarchaeology at the University of Oxford. Lee-Thorp is most well known for her work on dietary ecology and human origins by using stable isotope chemistry to study fossil bones and teeth.

Early life and education[edit]
Lee-Thorp was born on 20 April 1951 in Cape Town, South Africa. Studying at the University of Cape Town, she graduated with Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. Her doctoral thesis was titled "Stable carbon isotopes in deep time: the diets of fossil fauna and hominids" and was completed in 1989. Her thesis was concerning the validity of using carbon isotopic dietary to determine the diet of fossilized remains, particularly extending the time frame of study by using bone collagen.

Research
Lee-Thorp has been involved in a number of projects in Africa, South America, and Europe. In addition to diet, her more recent research has focused on the role of changing environment, climate, and farming techniques on past human societies. Currently, she is involved in the Paleodeserts Project, The Agricultural Origins of Urban Civilization (AGRICURB), and Building a Better Eggtimer.