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I received my PhD at the University of Toronto in 2024, and my MSc at the University of College London in 2012. With a specialization in scientific analysis, such as mineral analysis and chemical composition analysis of archaeological materials.
Prior to completing my PhD at the University of Toronto, I worked in cultural resource management (CRM) as a field archaeologist, lab technician, artifact analyst, and field director.
The main focus of my research is to learn from ancient artisans through the observation of artifacts they left behind. Using scientific analytical methods, with an emphasis on pottery and metal production, to examine the ancient artisans’ techniques, skills and knowledge, organization, and knowledge transmission in the ancient world. Currently, my area of study includes Ontario Indigenous and European ceramic technology, as well as Chinese Shang dynasty bronze casting.
- Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence in the Category of Early Career Excellence in Teaching - 2024
- Connaught PhD for Public Impact Fellowship Program - 2023
- I am interested in supervising students in the areas of scientific archaeology, North American archaeology, and Chinese archaeology.
- Cheng, Wen Yin (Elaine). 2024. "Two firings of the bronze vessel casting moulds: Distinction between firing and casting of the Late Shang and Western Zhou silt moulds." Archaeological Research in Asia, 41: 100587. Open access.
- Cheng, Wen Yin (Elaine), Chen Shen, and Robert Mason. 2023. “A New Approach in Petrographic Analysis of Loessic Ceramics: Late Shang and Western Zhou Bronze Casting Moulds.” Archaeological Research in Asia, 35: 100449.
- Cheng, Wen Yin (Elaine) and Chen Shen. 2022. “Bronze Casting Clay Moulds and Production Sequences: Understanding Knowledge and Organization of the Artisans in Late Shang (14th – 11th century BC), China.” Asian Archaeology, 6: 137-151.
- Cheng, Wen Yin (Elaine) and Chen Shen. 2019. “The Hidden Sequences of Production of the Chinese Bronze Vessels at the Royal Ontario Museum.” 商周青铜器暨: 铸造工艺研究, pp233-239. 科學出版社, Beijing.
- AR217: Artifact Analysis
- AR229: Indigenous Archaeology
- AR336: Cultural Resource Management
- AR342: Above-Ground Archaeology
- AR364: Landscape Archaeology
Contact Info:
Office location: Peter's Building P355
Languages spoken: English, Mandarin