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When Europe was covered by ice and ash (6-8 June 2013, British Museum)
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End date: 2013-06-08"When Europe was covered by ice and ash: Environmental hazards and human survival during the last 100,000 years": The British Museum, London, 6th to 8th June, 2013.
This three-day meeting will explore the links between abrupt environmental change and human dispersal and development during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic periods. It constitutes the Finale Event of the RESET Consortium Project (http://c14.arch.ox.ac.uk/reset/), funded by the Natural Environment Research Council. The RESET team, in association with many collaborators in Europe and beyond, has been testing the degree to which non-visible volcanic ash layers (termed 'cryptotephra') can refine the chronology of important environmental and archaeological events during the past 100,000 years or so. At the core of the RESET strategy has been the construction of a ‘tephra lattice’, the main tool employed for synchronising events. The principal outcomes of the RESET project will be presented over the course of the three days, and Guest Speakers will offer tangential views on the subject, helping to place RESET in a wider perspective. The meeting has two components, an Open Science Meeting (Thursday 6 and Friday 7 June), intended for research scientists, and a Public-Engagement–with-Science Day (Saturday 8 June), aimed at students (from age 16 up) and all interested adults.
PhD in Faunal and Human Biogeography, Bournemouth University
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End date: 2013-06-20Bournemouth University
School of Applied Sciences
Faunal and Human Biogeography and Terminal Ice Age Climate Change.
We are seeking a student to build a database of radiocarbon dated mammalian faunas in Europe between 60,000 and 8,000 years ago. This period saw dramatic changes in climate and environmental changes accompanying important human and faunal transitions.
The project data collection will involve an extensive review of the literature documenting dated mammalian faunas in Europe. A database covering 60,000–20,000 years ago already exists although it needs updating and the 20,000-8,000 period already has the archaeological dates and requires associated faunal data to be collected. The database will allow an analysis of faunal change across Europe during the aforementioned time period and this faunal change will be related to corresponding human and climatically driven ecological change. The successful candidate will have Masters or a good BSc degree in the field of Quaternary Science and/or archaeological science with knowledge of the Palaeolithic. Knowledge of one or more of the following fields is essential: the practise of reconstructing past environments, Quaternary vertebrate palaeontology/zooarchaeology, GIS and statistics. Having additional European languages would be an advantage. It is anticipated that the project will lead to high profile publications putting the eventual student in the best possible position for academic employment going forwards. Enthusiasm for the topic will count above all.
This year, BU will be offering fully-funded and match-funded PhD Studentships. Successful candidates will be engaged on projects in a range of disciplines and will receive a bursary of £14,000/year to cover their living expenses. Their tuition fees will be waived for 36 months and the research costs, including bench fees, field work and conference attendance will also be met.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates for this fully-funded PhD studentship must demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 3 years. All candidates must satisfy the University’s minimum doctoral entry criteria for studentships of an honours degree at Upper Second Class (2.1) and/or an appropriate Masters degree. An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum is essential for candidates for whom English is not their first language. In addition to satisfying basic entry criteria, BU will look closely at the qualities, skills and background of each candidate and what they can bring to their chosen research project.
To discuss this opportunity further please contact Dr. J.R. Stewart (jstewart@bournemouth.ac.uk). For details on how to apply please visit www.bournemouth.ac.uk/phd2013Middle Palaeolithic in North-West Europe: Multidisciplinary Approaches
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End date: 2014-03-20Middle Palaeolithic in North-West Europe: Multidisciplinary Approaches, Namur, Belgium, March 20-22, 2014
North-west Europe is a key area to help deciphering Neanderthal societies in connection with their natural landscapes. The region presents various contexts where loessic, karstic, fluvial, lacustrine and coastal environments coexist. This area was the subject of important climatic contrasts, with environmental conditions fluctuating from interglacial forest to polar desert. Moreover, the diversity of the geological substratum defines the availability of various natural ressources. This conference aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the available documentation on the Middle Palaeolithic of north-west Europe and to discuss the current research problematics on Neanderthal behaviour in a multidisciplinary perspective.
(c) 2009, Ancient Human Occupation of Britain Project
Questions: e-mail
pdpolly@indiana.edu
