About our research and impact

Evolving societies: from prehistory to the modern world - Our research spans the development of complex societies from foraging to farming, urbanism, and early state formations. It features collaborations among specialists in prehistoric European, Southwest Asian and Mediterranean archaeology, Egyptology, and historical archaeology, examining societal transitions and the evolution of social complexity.

Human-environment interactions: landscapes, coasts, and climate - Focussing on the ways people interact with and adapt to their environments, we investigate various contexts such as coastal zones and changing climates. We explore marine and coastal archaeology, landscape archaeology, and broader human-environment interactions, focusing on issues such as land-sea connections, island archaeology, and the impact of human activities on environments and ecosystems.

Social worlds, identities, and material practice - We investigate social structures, identities, and material culture, focusing on how ancient peoples created, used, and understood objects, spaces, and rituals. Our research here includes studies on burials, artifacts, monuments, and built environments, integrating theoretical frameworks with material evidence to understand cultural identities and social practices.

Biocultural dynamics and long-term health in human history - Our research in this area covers bioarchaeology, osteology, palaeopathology, diet, and health, focusing on how biological and cultural processes interact over time. We analyse how bodies, diets, diseases, and environments co-evolve, integrating archaeological science methods with cultural interpretations of past life and well-being.

Heritage, digital methods, and critical practice - We critically examine how archaeological knowledge is produced, interpreted, communicated, and shared. It involves heritage studies, digital and computational methods, and public engagement, bridging theory and data science with community relevance. This includes research on digital heritage, text/data mining, and the integration of archaeological work with policy and public engagement.