Archaeology (Research): Bioarchaeology

All of the four research disciplines of Leiden University’s Bioarchaeology research master’s specialisation cover an extensive geographical area and time range. As a student you are free to pursue you own interest within these subjects.

• The Archaeobotany research group investigates, for example, changes in vegetation and environment during the past 2.6 million years, as well as the taphonomy of plant macrofossils in lacustrine and fl uvial depositional settings.

• The Archaeo/Palaeozoological research group focuses on Eurasia and covers the period from the Early Pleistocene to the Holocene. Biostratigraphical studies, palaeo-ecological studies, as well as taphonomical studies are executed; palaeo-economical studies are carried out mainly on Dutch fauna complexes from the Holocene and in particular from the Medieval age.

• The Human Osteoarchaeology research group focuses on two subjects: the analysis and interpretations of human remains from international archaeology contexts, and on behavioural and social facets of mortuary practices in past societies.

• The Isotope Archaeology research group works on the analysis and interpretation of stable isotopes of human and faunal remains from archaeological contexts. It also focuses on dating projects, involving radiocarbon dating as well as other dating methods.

Track leader:
Prof. dr. M. (Thijs) van Kolfschoten