PRR Project

Summary

The Universidade do Algarve (UAlg) and ICArEHB are collaborating to consolidate a research line on Prehistoric human-animal interactions, specifically aiming to advance the understanding of hominin and carnivore dynamics within Pleistocene archaeological contexts, with a particular focus on Western Europe. Recognizing the significance of this field, this proposal seeks to fund an Assistant Researcher to develop a zooarchaeological analysis of animal remains from a taphonomic point of view. Understanding taphonomy is crucial for interpreting the fossil record and archaeological sites. It helps in determining how remains ended up in their final resting place, the conditions of their preservation, and the possible interactions between humans and animals in the past. These steps are crucial for the interpretation of archaeological findings and will address a long-term requirement for ICArEHB´s archaeological projects.This position requires a candidate with a PhD in Archaeology, with particular expertise in Paleolithic Western European contexts. The candidate should possess strong skills in bone taphonomy, as well as understanding hominid and carnivore interactions, and hunter-gatherer subsistence strategies. The ideal candidate should have practical experience in both field and laboratory archaeological work, along with the ability to lead and coordinate teams effectively. Additionally, experience in supervising Master’s and Doctoral students is desirable.The researcher will be integrated into ICArEHB, which currently hosts a multidisciplinary team of researchers working on different facets of human behavior. Therefore, it is expected that the candidate possesses strong teamwork skills, actively participates in meetings and discussions, and facilitates common research strategies within the center. The chairholder´s primary activities will be mainly developed within the research theme "Dynamics of Paleolithic People in Eurasia”. As part of the theme, the chairholder will provide scientific and technical expertise in bone taphonomy for analyzing archaeological collections recovered from various sites. Familiarity with Iberian contexts is preferred, as the candidate will collaborate on research at archaeological sites led by ICArEHB members in the region. Active participation and coordination in international research projects and teams will also be positively considered.The primary objective of this profile is to uncover predatory activities, as well as other post-depositional processes that may have occurred in archaeological contexts, to better understand the dynamics of site accumulation. There is particular interest in identifying potential interactions between humans and carnivores and assessing their impact on site occupation and functionality. Similarly, the selected candidate should explore how humans utilized the animal resources available in their environment, as well as the purposes for which they were used. Additionally, the chairholder must be able to identify gaps in research and devise strategies to address these issues, thereby advancing the field of taphonomy (with, for example, the development of new digital approaches) and enhancing our understanding of prehistoric societies during the Pleistocene.The interest in working with Pleistocene contexts lies in the significance of these periods for understanding the origins and evolution of human behavior, including topics such as the appearance and disappearance of different homo species, and the regional extinction of megafauna.Apart from participating in research initiatives, the chairholder is expected to significantly contribute to the Osteoarchaeology Laboratory (OAL) at ICArEHB. This involvement entails collaborating on the procurement and preparation of new osteological collections, as well as developing new tools to facilitate physical and digital research on faunal remains. Moreover, the candidate is expected to provide guidance and supervision to Master’s and PhD students conducting research in Pleistocene archaeological contexts.The chairholder is anticipated to actively disseminate research findings to the scientific community. This entails contributing data to peer-reviewed international journals and delivering presentations at both national and international conferences. It is also expected that they are familiar with seeking external funding and be willing to submit proposals to national and international calls to develop new lines of research on the field. Moreover, the candidate is expected to contribute to the generation and transmission of knowledge to the general public by participating in various outreach initiatives in collaboration with ICArEHB and UAlg.