William Henry Gilbert, Ph.D.

Walnut grower · Water-district director · Paleoanthropologist

Wheatland & Rio Oso, California henry.gilbert@fossilized.org fossilized.org forost.org

Current Work · Agriculture, Water & Industry

Since 2017, William Henry Gilbert has worked as a California walnut grower, managing family orchard operations in the Bear River country while serving in regional water governance and the state walnut industry.

Present
Owner & Operator, Bear River Walnut Ranch Active
Walnut growing and processing operation, Wheatland, California.
Present
Owner, Gilbert Grove
Walnut orchard operation.
Present
Owner, Gilbert Orchards
Orchard operation, Yuba/Sutter County, California.
Present
Principal, Rio Oso Groves, Inc.
Orchard and land operation, Rio Oso, California.
2019–Present
President, Camp Far West Irrigation District Elected
Elected President of the board governing irrigation water delivery and rate setting.
Present
Alternate Board Member, California Walnut Commission Appointed
State marketing-order body for the California walnut industry; contributor to crop-estimating and data initiatives.

Ongoing Research & Heritage Projects

2006–2018
Director, Kesem Kebena Antiquities Rescue Project
Antiquities rescue and environmental-impact management in the Kesem Kebena Dulecha region, Ethiopia, in cooperation with the Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage.
2007–Present
Co-director, FOROST Ongoing  forost.org
International free-access visual forensic-osteology and osteopathology metabase linking the public to images and data from museums and institutions worldwide.

Academic Appointments

Full-time academic appointments concluded in 2017–2018.

2006–2017
Associate Professor
Department of Anthropology, Geography, and Environmental Studies, California State University, East Bay.
2005–2018
Researcher
Human Evolution Research Center, University of California, Berkeley.
2003–2005
Postdoctoral Scholar
Human Evolution Research Center, University of California, Berkeley.

Education

2003
Ph.D., Integrative Biology
University of California, Berkeley.
Dissertation: The Daka Member of the Bouri Formation, Middle Awash Valley, Ethiopia: Fauna, Stratigraphy, and Environment.
1994
B.A., Biological Anthropology (Science)
University of California, Santa Barbara.

Books & Edited Volumes

2008
Gilbert, W. H., & B. Asfaw, eds. Homo erectus: Pleistocene Evidence from the Middle Awash, Ethiopia. University of California Press.
2003
Gilbert, W. H. The Daka Member of the Bouri Formation, Middle Awash Valley, Ethiopia: Fauna, Stratigraphy, and Environment. Ph.D. Thesis, University of California, Berkeley, Department of Integrative Biology.
2000
de Heinzelin, J., J. Clark, K. Schick, & W. Gilbert (eds.). The Acheulean and the Plio-Pleistocene Deposits of the Middle Awash Valley, Ethiopia. Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgium.

Journal Articles, Book Chapters, Field Reports & Abstracts

2025
Gilbert, W. H. The evolution of human lip-to-lip kissing In: Evolution and Human Behavior.
2018
Gilbert, W. H. Early Hominids. In: Wiley Encyclopedia of Anthropology.
2014
Gilbert, W. H. Antiquities Rescue & Environmental Impact Management, Kesem Kebena Dulecha, Ethiopia. Report to the Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Ethiopia. (Restricted document — request password for viewing.)
2013
Gilbert, W. H. Antiquities Rescue & Environmental Impact Management, Kesem Kebena Dulecha, Ethiopia. Report to the Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Ethiopia. (Restricted document.)
2012
Gilbert, W. H. Antiquities Rescue & Environmental Impact Management, Kesem Kebena Dulecha, Ethiopia. Report to the Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Ethiopia. (Restricted document.)
2011
Gilbert, W. H., C. Serrano Sánchez, S. Báez-Molgado y R. Castillo-Castro. El desarrollo de una base de metadatos: FOROST. Estudios de Antropología Biológica, XV: 49–63, México, 2011, ISSN 1405-5066.
2008
WoldeGabriel, G., W. H. Gilbert, W. K. Hart, P. R. Renne, & S. H. Ambrose. Geology and Geochronology. In: Gilbert & Asfaw (eds.), Homo erectus. University of California Press.
2008
Gilbert, W. H. Bovidae. In: Gilbert & Asfaw (eds.), Homo erectus. University of California Press.
2008
Gilbert, W. H., N. García, & F. C. Howell. Carnivora. In: Gilbert & Asfaw (eds.), Homo erectus. University of California Press.
2008
Gilbert, W. H., & S. Frost. Cercopithecidae. In: Gilbert & Asfaw (eds.), Homo erectus. University of California Press.
2008
Gilbert, W. H., & R. L. Bernor. Equidae. In: Gilbert & Asfaw (eds.), Homo erectus. University of California Press.
2008
Gilbert, W. H. Giraffidae. In: Gilbert & Asfaw (eds.), Homo erectus. University of California Press.
2008
Boisserie, J.-R., & W. H. Gilbert. Hippopotamidae. In: Gilbert & Asfaw (eds.), Homo erectus. University of California Press.
2008
Saegusa, H., & W. H. Gilbert. Elephantidae. In: Gilbert & Asfaw (eds.), Homo erectus. University of California Press.
2008
Gilbert, W. H. Rhinocerotidae. In: Gilbert & Asfaw (eds.), Homo erectus. University of California Press.
2008
Gilbert, W. H. Suidae. In: Gilbert & Asfaw (eds.), Homo erectus. University of California Press.
2008
Gilbert, W. H., & T. Stidham. Rare Taxa. In: Gilbert & Asfaw (eds.), Homo erectus. University of California Press.
2008
Asfaw, B., W. H. Gilbert, & G. Richards. Homo erectus cranial anatomy. In: Gilbert & Asfaw (eds.), Homo erectus. University of California Press.
2008
Gilbert, W. H., R. Holloway, G. Suwa, R. T. Kono, & D. Kubo. Tomographic analysis of the Daka Calvaria. In: Gilbert & Asfaw (eds.), Homo erectus. University of California Press.
2008
Gilbert, W. H. Hominid Systematics. In: Gilbert & Asfaw (eds.), Homo erectus. University of California Press.
2008
Gilbert, W. H. Daka Member Hominid Postcranial Remains. In: Gilbert & Asfaw (eds.), Homo erectus. University of California Press.
2008
Gilbert, W. H. Ecological and Biogeographic Context of the Daka Member. In: Gilbert & Asfaw (eds.), Homo erectus. University of California Press.
2008
Gilbert, W. H. Conclusions: Evolutionary Insights from the Daka Member. In: Gilbert & Asfaw (eds.), Homo erectus. University of California Press.
2007
DeGusta, D., H. Gilbert, G. Richards, & T. White. Methods for studying bone modification. In: Medio Ambiente y Cultura: Aportaciones a la Antropología de la Muerte (C. Serrano & A. Terrazas, eds.). Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas, México City.
2006
White, T., F. Howell, & W. Gilbert. The earliest Metridiochoerus (Artiodactyla: Suidae) from the Usno Formation, Ethiopia. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa 61: 75–80.
2006
White, T., G. WoldeGabriel, B. Asfaw, S. Ambrose, Y. Beyene, R. Bernor, J.-R. Boisserie, B. Currie, W. Gilbert, Y. Haile-Selassie, W. Hart, L. Hlusko, F. Howell, R. Kono, A. Louchart, C. O. Lovejoy, P. Renne, H. Saegusa, E. Vrba, H. Wesselman, & G. Suwa. Asa Issie, Aramis, and the Origin of Australopithecus. Nature 440: 883–889.
2003
Gilbert, W., T. White, & B. Asfaw. Homo erectus, Homo ergaster, Homo "cepranensis," and the Daka cranium. Journal of Human Evolution 45: 255–259.
2003
White, T., B. Asfaw, D. DeGusta, W. Gilbert, G. Richards, G. Suwa, & F. C. Howell. Pleistocene Homo sapiens from Middle Awash, Ethiopia. Nature 423: 742–747.
2003
Clark, J., Y. Beyene, G. WoldeGabriel, W. Hart, P. Renne, W. Gilbert, A. Defleur, G. Suwa, S. Katoh, K. Ludwig, J.-R. Boisserie, B. Asfaw, & T. White. Stratigraphic, chronological and behavioural contexts of Pleistocene Homo sapiens from Middle Awash, Ethiopia. Nature 423: 747–752.
2002
Asfaw, B., W. Gilbert, Y. Beyene, W. Hart, P. Renne, G. WoldeGabriel, E. Vrba, & T. White. Remains of Homo erectus from Bouri, Middle Awash, Ethiopia. Nature 416: 317–320.
2001
Gilbert, W., & G. Richards. Response to Hirsch: Reevaluating digital vs. conventional photographic cameras for research. Anatomical Record (New Anatomist) 265: 130–131.
2000
Gilbert, W., & G. Richards. Digital imaging of bone and tooth modification. Anatomical Record (New Anatomist) 261: 237–246.
2000
Gilbert, W., B. Asfaw, & T. White. Chapter 7: Paleontology. In: The Acheulean and the Plio-Pleistocene Deposits of the Middle Awash Valley, Ethiopia (de Heinzelin, Clark, Schick & Gilbert, eds.). Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgium.
2000
de Heinzelin, J., G. WoldeGabriel, T. White, W. Gilbert, & B. Asfaw. Chapter 2: Geography, Mapping, and Nomenclature. In: The Acheulean and the Plio-Pleistocene Deposits of the Middle Awash Valley, Ethiopia. Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgium.
1999
DeGusta, D., W. Gilbert, & S. Turner. Hypoglossal canal size and hominid speech. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 96(4): 1800–1804.
1997
Güleç, E., D. Clark, G. Curtis, A. Gilbert, H. Gilbert, F. Howell, M. Karabıyıkoğlu, G. Saraç, A. Sevim, E. Ünay, & T. White. The Early Pleistocene lacustrine deposits of Dursunlu: preliminary results. INTER-INQUA Colloquium, pp. 69–74.

Databases, Websites & Electronic Publications

2008–
Present
forost.org — Forensic osteology visual database linking the public to forensic-osteology images and data from museums and institutions worldwide.
2007
M. Black, T. White, K. Brudvik, D. Su, H. Gilbert, & J.-R. Boisserie. RHOI Database Template v.1.0. rhoi.berkeley.edu
2006–
2016
middleawash.berkeley.edu — Middle Awash project website; designed and developed, including searchable online fossil catalog. (Site retired 2016.)
2005–
2016
herc.berkeley.edu — Human Evolution Research Center website; designed and developed, including searchable online cast catalog. (Site retired 2016.)
2003–
Present
fossilized.org — Founder and developer.

Conferences & Presentations

2018
Gilbert, W. H., L. V. Golovanova, & V. B. Doronichev. The emergence of the Late Acheulean pattern of biface production and resharpening (Hugub locality, 600–500 ka, Ethiopia).
2018
Canevet, A., D. Cochard, C. J. Knüsel, M. Brenet, M. Corbé, T. Bienvenu, M. Fabrer, L. Rozada, D. Cusimano, J. Parkinson, S. Báez-Molgado, W. Gilbert, & A. Souron. An actualistic replication of a cranial fracture and linear mark on a Middle Pleistocene (0.6 Ma) fossil suid from Bodo, Ethiopia: human predation or natural cause? African Conference on Experimental Archaeology, Johannesburg.
2014
Whatever Happened to Homo erectus? Wonderfest / Ask a Scientist, August 20.
2014
Produced talk: African Origins of Human Intelligence (speaker: Yonatan Sahle). CSU East Bay Theater, February 19.
2013
Panel participant, PaleoCore Workshop. Austin, Texas, November 7–8.
2013
Inaugural presentation & organizer, 3rd Seminario Internacional de Antropología Forense. Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas, UNAM, México City, August 26–30.
2013
A Middle Pleistocene Occupation at Hugub, Ethiopia. Archaeology Research Facility, UC Berkeley.
2013
Metabases and Priority. Symposium: Toward a Data Standard for Paleolithic Archaeology. Society for American Archaeology, Honolulu, Hawaii.
2013
A Middle Pleistocene Occupation at Hugub, Ethiopia. Primate Reading Group, UC Berkeley.
2013
Gilbert, W. H., S. Baez, R. Castillo, C. Serrano, & K. Spradley. Introducing FOROST: An International Free-Access Visual Forensic Osteology and Osteopathology Metabase. American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Meeting.
2012
Out of Africa: the Origins of Humans. East Bay Atheists, Berkeley Main Library.
2012
One Million Years Ago: Homo erectus, the Acheulean, and prehistoric globalization. Forum Lecture Series, Spanos Theater, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, February 28.
2012
Organizer, 2nd Seminario Internacional de Antropología Forense (with FOROST / R. Castillo). Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas, UNAM, México City, March 27 – April 1.
2011
Wilkie Lecture: One Million Years Ago: Homo erectus, the Acheulean, and prehistoric globalization. Indiana University, Bloomington, October 27.
2010
How Did Evolution Shape Human Behavior? (with D. DeGusta). 12th annual Wonderfest Bay Area Festival of Science, Berkeley.
2010
The Human Fossil Record. Willard Middle School, Berkeley, November 18.
2010
The Daka Member: Homo erectus in Africa. Chico State University, Department of Anthropology, October 14.
2010
Data Models and Data Integration in Paleoanthropology (with M. Black). Pleistocene Databases: Acquisition, Storing, Sharing — Neanderthal Museum, Mettmann, Germany, June 10–11 (NESPOS Society).
2010
Ethiopian Diorama: a Glimpse of Humanity's Dawn. East Bay Science Café, La Peña Cultural Center, February 3.
2009
Keynote: An Introduction to Paleoanthropology. XV Coloquio Internacional de Antropología Física, Mérida, Yucatán, October 18–23.
2009
The Daka Member and Pleistocene African Homo erectus. XV Coloquio Internacional de Antropología Física, Mérida, Yucatán.
2009
Kesem Kebena Dulecha Paleolithic Project, Ethiopia. XV Coloquio Internacional de Antropología Física, Mérida, Yucatán.
2009
Co-organizer & presenter, Seminario de Antropología Forense (Implementing Multi-institution, Multi-user Databases in Forensic Osteology). Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas, UNAM, México City, March 16–20.
2008
Impact Assessment and Mitigation at Kesem-Kebena. International Conference on Paleoanthropology, Paleontology and Archaeology in Ethiopia, ECA Hall II, Addis Ababa.
2006
Báez-Molgado, S., W. Gilbert, et al. Diagnóstico Neuro-Motor a partir de la observación anatómica en un esqueleto: colección ósea del laboratorio de Antropología Física. XXI Congreso Nacional de Anatomía, San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
2003
Gilbert, W. Testing hypotheses of demes within Homo erectus using parsimony analysis. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Suppl. 36: 100.
2002
1,000,000 BC — African Homo erectus. Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos.
2002
Finding African Homo erectus: Paleoanthropological fieldwork in Ethiopia. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
2001
Nuevas Técnicas de Registro Digital de Fósiles. Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas, UNAM, México City.
2000
Gilbert, W. Microscopic documentation of bone modification. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Suppl. 30: 158.
1999
DeGusta, D., W. Gilbert, & S. Turner. The hypoglossal canal: making silent skulls speak? American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Suppl. 28: 116.

Field Research

2006–2018
Kesem Kebena Project
Led expeditions to rescue antiquities in the area affected by the Kesem and Kebena reservoirs, recovering Pleistocene and Neolithic fossils and artifacts, including hominid fossils.
2010
National Museum of Ethiopia
Directed installation of archaeology exhibits.
1994–2005
Middle Awash Project
Survey and excavation across several Middle Awash localities. Coordinated geological, archaeological, and paleontological fieldwork on the Early Pleistocene Daka Member of the Bouri Formation. Recovered Homo erectus calvaria BOU-VP-2/66; coordinated excavation of Homo sapiens idaltu cranium BOU-VP-16/2 and directed vertebrate fossil collection in the Herto Member; recovered hominid cranial fossil BOU-VP-16/18 and an Ardipithecus ramidus phalanx in the Aramis Member. Began high-resolution geological and archaeological survey of the Bouri Formation (1996); participated in excavation of the Ardipithecus ramidus partial skeleton (1994).
1994
Dursunlu, Turkey
Excavated the Pleistocene site of Dursunlu, which produced the earliest evidence of human occupation in Turkey.
1992–1993
Central Turkey
U.C. Berkeley / Ankara University project surveying Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene localities of paleoanthropological interest.

Grants & Funded Projects

2010
Leakey Foundation Research Grant — Kesem Kebena Project.
2008
Private donation to CSU East Bay — Kesem Kebena Reservoir Impact Salvage Project.
2007
CSU East Bay Faculty Support Grant — Kesem Kebena Reservoir Impact Salvage Project.
2007
Leakey Foundation Research Grant — Kesem Kebena Project.
2003
Leakey Foundation Dissertation Improvement Grant — Paleontology of the Daka Member of the Bouri Formation, Ethiopia.

Awards & Honors

2011
Stone Age Institute Award for Outstanding Research into Human Origins.
2003
Louderback Award for Outstanding Paleontology Research.
2001
Outstanding Teaching Award, UC Berkeley Department of Integrative Biology.

Laboratory & Institutional Service

2007–2017
Human Evolutionary Studies Laboratory, CSU East Bay
1994–2018
Laboratory Manager, Human Evolution Research Center, UC Berkeley
2005–2010
Revealing Hominid Origins Initiative (RHOI), UC Berkeley
Managed data network, databases, and website.
1994–2018
National Museum of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Managed movement of antiquities into the new museum complex; responsibilities in photography, publication, curation, replication, preservation, and study of fossils and artifacts.
2001–2018
Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas, UNAM, México City
Instruction in identifying human osteological remains, digital photography techniques, and analysis of modified-bone assemblages.
1996–2005
Middle Awash Digital Map Archive
Designed and managed a satellite and air-photo GIS database for the Middle Awash; facilitated data conversion to ENVI GIS formats.
1996, 1999,
2009–2010
Berkeley Geochronology Center
Prepared geological samples for irradiation and analysis.