PRR Project

Summary

Africa is the origin of our species. Following its emergency, modern human populations started migrating and dispersing, both within and outside of Africa, gradually inhabiting the rest of the World. To better understand prehistoric behavior and human dispersals in Africa, ICArEHB has been developing groundbreaking research on the past social and cultural interactions between modern human populations, and between humans and their environments. Our work takes place in relatively unexplored regions of the African continent, such as the cases of Mozambique, Sudan, Malawi, or the desert of Tankwa Karoo and the Pondoland coastal environments in South Africa. All of this work is related to early humans, including the emergence of our species and its complex cultural material and behavior, but also the dispersals of populations across and outside the African continent. Although we have been very successful in funding acquisition to all of these projects, including ERC, Marie-Curie, and FCT projects, long-term plans for our work in these regions are hindered by the lack of a permanent researcher that could take responsibility for articulating the different actions led by ICArEHB and thus boosting our research theme on “Prehistoric Behavior and Dispersals in Africa”.With this FCT Tenure proposal, ICArEHB and UAlg are seeking to appoint a permanent Principal Researcher to a newly established Chair in Stone Age Archaeology in Africa.The ideal candidate will have a PhD in Archaeology, preferably specializing in sub-saharan African archaeology, and a strong foundation in quantitative methodologies, that may include Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and/or statistical approaches applied to the analysis of cultural materials. This person will have a distinguished publication record, demonstrable leadership in funded interdisciplinary fieldwork projects, a strong history of supervising postgraduate research in African Stone Age archaeology, and a track record of organizing impactful outreach activities within African communities. Through this position, the chairholder will not only further our understanding of early human history but also contribute to academic excellence, student training, and the public´s appreciation of the African Stone Age. Their responsibilities will include:Spearheading advanced research initiatives aimed at providing new insights into the emergence and dispersals of early modern humans. This involves not only conducting fieldwork but also applying data-driven quantitative methodologies to trace cultural developments, migration patterns, and macro-regional patterns of early modern human-environment interactions;Producing high-quality academic publications that contribute significant new knowledge to the field of Stone Age archaeology;Designing and delivering specialized courses and training programs for undergraduate and graduate students focused on the archaeology of early modern humans, quantitative methods in archaeology, and fieldwork techniques. This also includes further collaboration with the ongoing MOOC on Archaeology and Heritage of Africa (https://www.onlaah.com/course-on-archaeology-and-heritage-of-africa), and, together with the Archeological Sciences Assistant Professor position proposed in this call, the development of an international MA joint program on African Archaeology, with a specific focus on Archaeological Sciences;Supervising doctoral and postdoctoral research that aligns with the Chair´s research focus. Courses will be integrated into the undergraduate degree in Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, and the MA and PhD programs in Archaeology;Actively seek and maintain collaborations with local universities and institutes within Africa, including joint research projects, fieldwork, and academic exchanges to enrich the research and educational experiences for African students and faculty;Secure funding for research projects, through grants, partnerships, and other sources, to support extensive fieldwork and laboratory analysis.Design and implement a strategy for an enduring funding program of MA and PhD fellowships for students from African countries, through collaboration with institutions such for example, the Aga Khan Foundation.Working with local communities, governments, and international organizations to safeguard archaeological sites and findings, through community-based projects, such as participatory mapping, oral history projects, or archaeological site stewardship programs. This includes advocating for the protection of heritage sites and ensuring that research benefits the preservation of cultural heritage in Africa.