Biological and cultural identity of first farmers: multiple bio-archaeological analysis of a central European cemetery (Vedrovice)

This project will run for two years between June 1st 2005 and May 31st 2007, under the direction of Prof. Marek Zvelebil and Dr. Paul Pettitt from the Archaeology department at the University of Sheffield, in collaboration with Dr. Marta Dočkalová from the Anthropos Institute of the Moravské Zemské museum, Czech Republic. The project involves a large team of international researchers, of which Dr. Pia Nystrom and Dr. Alena Lukes are also from the department of Archaeology at the University of Sheffield.

For additional details, please contact the project research associate Dr. Alena Lukes.

Project Participants

Although the overall focus of the “Biological and cultural identity of first farmers” project is to examine the Vedrovice skeletal population and the issue of LBK emergence, the project is also aimed at developing team based research emphasizing the transfer of knowledge and information exchange, which through the collaboration of multiple institutions and specialists, stands to make a significant contribution to the broader context of European neolithisation.

Consequently, the “Biological and cultural identity of first farmers” project team includes participants from the Czech Republic (Anthropos Institute, Charles University), Germany (Mainz University, Max Planck Institute) and the United Kingdom (Bradford University, Hull University, Oxford University, Sheffield University).

Section title

Research area AMS radiocarbon Ancient DNA Chemical Bone Analyses Osteology: Anthropology, Demography Dental Micro/Macrowear Palaeopathology Typological Sequence Testing

Researcher Dr. R. Hedges, University of Oxford (UK) Dr. P. Pettitt, University of Sheffield (UK) Dr. B. Bramanti, University of Mainz (DEM) Dr. J. Montgomery, University of Bradford (UK) Dr. M. Richards, Max Planck Institute (DEM) Dr. V. Smrčka, Charles University (CZK) Dr. M. Dočkalová, Anthropos Institute, MZM (CZK) Dr. I. Jarošová, Anthropos Institute, MZM (CZK) Dr. P. Nystrom, University of Sheffield (UK) Dr. M. Lillie, University of Hull (UK) Dr. M. Dočkalová, Anthropos Institute,MZM (CZK) Dr. I. Jarošová, Anthropos Institute, MZM (CZK) Dr. A. Lukes, University of Sheffield (UK) Dr. P. Pettitt, University of Sheffield (UK) Dr. V. Smrčka, Charles University (CZK) Dr. M. Zvelebil, University of Sheffield (UK)

Project webpages written by Alena Lukes November 2005