Archaeology (Research): Bioarchaeology

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

• 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 fluvial depositional settings.

• The Archaeo/Palaeozoology 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 and subsistence studies are executed on Pleistocene/Palaeolithic material whereas mainly palaeo-economical studies are carried out Holocene fauna complexes.

• The Human Osteoarchaeology research group focuses on the analysis and interpretations of human remains from all over the globe.

• 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