Cardiff University BioArchaeology: CUBA

Great artefact associated with animal management.

This strange artefact melted out of the ice in the Lendbreen pass. We scratched our heads trying to figure out what it had been used for, but we couldn't come up with a good answer. The object was exhibited at the local museum, and a visiting elderly woman solved the mystery for us. She had used such objects on a local farm in the 1930s!

She told us that it is a bit for young animals, mainly goat kids and lambs, to stop them from nursing, allowing farmers to use the milk. The carved furrows on each end originally had string attached, which was used for fastening behind the ears, so the bit wouldn't come loose. Usually, such bits were made in juniper, she said, as this is a very tough wood. Our piece was also determined to be made from juniper.

Here's the kicker: radiocarbon dating revealed the Lendbreen bit is from the 11th century AD! That's right - we're looking at a millennium-old object, perfectly preserved in ice!

Since we first published the find on this page, we have learned from our followers that such bits were in use in many parts of the world. There is so much interesting historical knowledge to be gained through the finds from the ice!

graduates. Deadline 21st! You need to identify as a minority group.

Research Internships at The University of York - Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education Careers and Placements at The University of York are delighted to be offering 10 research internships to individuals who qualify for UK Home Fee status and self-identify as belonging to an ethnically-minoritised group. York Research Internships are designed to offer individuals from underrepresented...

We have lots of staff to support PDRAs, across all aspects of bioarchaeology, archaeological science and science outreach and engagement MC applications.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships We invite expressions of interest from researchers interested in submitting a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship application with Cardiff University as the host organisation.

Prof. Beatrice Demarchi, bioarchaeologist at DBIOS, is recruiting the first postdoc on the new AviArch ERC Consolidator project! If you have a background in ancient proteins, love being in the lab and are up for a new adventure, apply here for the DBIOS_2024_02 (Demarchi) position https://pica.cineca.it/unito/assegni-di-ricerca-unito-2024-i-sdn/

Job opp: Research fellow in Zooarchaeology post at UCL Institute of Archaeology (18 months)


UCL are are seeking a Research Fellow with a specialism in zooarchaeology to join the ‘EVERYDAYISLAM: Becoming Muslim: Cultural Change, Everyday Life and State Formation in early Islamic North Africa (600-1000) project team at the UCL Institute of Archaeology.

The post-holder will work closely with the PI and will be primarily responsible for recording, analysing and bringing to publication a large faunal assemblage from the medieval urban site of Volubilis/ Walila in Morocco (this will require spending periods of study in Morocco). They will be responsible for studying the mammal and bird bones. They will be expected to lead on the authorship of the faunal chapter for the excavation monograph and at least 1 journal article, as well as to contribute to collaborative publications, presentations and other project outputs, and assist in the design and delivery of a planned workshop in Morocco. There is potential for the post-holder to conduct ZooMS or isotopic analysis. The post is available from 1 June 2024 and is funded until 31 December 2025.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in zooarchaeology, or related field (in hand or near completion), with experience in the analysis of large faunal assemblages from sites with complex stratigraphy. This appointment will involve periods of fieldwork in Morocco. Applicants are, therefore, strongly advised to take into account their resilience and ability to spend periods of times overseas, when preparing their application. We particularly encourage candidates with a demonstrable interest in medieval/ Islamic and/or Mediterranean/Middle Eastern and/ or urban archaeology to apply. International applicants are eligible for this post and encouraged to apply. Apply at this link [https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/search-ucl-jobs/details?jobId=21105]

If you have any queries about the role, please contact Prof. Corisande Fenwick (Professor in Late Antique and Islamic Archaeology) at [email protected] If you have any queries about the application process, please contact Louisa Goldsmith, HR Administrator ([email protected]).

Closing date: 5th April 2024

Excellent news for one of last year's MSc students! A well deserved honour.