Title: Group of Analyses on Socio-ecological Processes, Cultural Changes and Population dynamics during Prehistory (GAPS)
Coordinator: Dr. Ethel Allué.
Call: Ajuts per donar suport a les activitats dels grups de recerca de Catalunya (SGR-Cat 2021)
Funder: Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (AGAUR)
Period: 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2024
Reference Code: 2021 SGR 01237 (double filiation IPHES-URV Group)
Researchers: Dr. Ana Abruhnosa, Dr. Marian Berihuete, Dr. Sandra Bañuls, Dr. Ruth Blasco, Dr. Aitor Burguet-Coca, Dr. Francesc Burjachs, Dr. M. Gema Chacón, Dr. Policarp Hortolà, Dr. Patricia Martín, Dr. M.Fernanda Martínez Polanco, Dr. Juan Ignacio Morales, Dr. Mariana Nabais, Dr. Ignasi Pastó, Dr. Josep Maria Prats, Dr. Jordi Revelles, Dr. Florent Rivals, Dr. Andrés Robledo, Dr. David Rodríguez, Dr. Jordi Rosell, Dr. Claudia Speciale, Dr. Antigone Uzunidis, Dr. Josep Vallverdú and Dr. Manuel Vaquero.
PhD students: Susana Alonso, Celia Díaz-Canseco, Nit Cano Cano, Sabrina Bianco, Juan Ignacio Martín- Viveros, Cristian Micó Sanchís and Iván Ramírez.
Support to research staff: Irene Cazalla, Dr. Isabel Expósito, Génesis Hernández, Laura Hernando, Núria Ibáñez and Gala Gómez-Merino.
Collaborators: Dr. Leopoldo Pérez, Dr. Céline Kerfant, Dr. Carlos Sánchez, Dr. Ramon Viñas and Dr. Maite Arilla.
Summary: The scientific activity of the group is focused on the study of the ecology, the population dynamics and the cultural changes which characterize the neanderthals and modern human societies from the prehistoric period, from the first neanderthal behaviors to the emergence of the first agricultural and herder societies. The research is carried out from a multidisciplinary approach, integrating different disciplines: lithic technology, zooarchaeology and taphonomy, paleontology, dental micro-wear, biogeochemistry, archeobotany, spatial analysis and archaeological stratigraphy and the study of the behavior of symbolic. Some of the objectives of the study are the following: a) the definition of Neanderthal behavior as a well-defined position in human evolution; b) cultural changes related to the arrival of modern humans into Europe; and c) the ending of hunter-gatherer societies and the emergence of producer economies.
GAPS intends to develop as a continuity of the previous year’s research. The research group is aimed at studying the cultural and behavioral changes, the ecology and population dynamics of Neanderthals and modern humans from the final Middle Pleistocene to the Mid Holocene. During this period, three major processes took place: 1) the origin of Neanderthal behavior; 2) the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition and 3) the beginning of a productive economy (herding and agriculture). Our main strategic objectives encompassing the specific challenges are inter-linked with other ongoing projects led or participated by the members' Group.
1) Technology and material culture. Changes in material culture (including technological innovations) were broad throughout the Pleistocene. Specifically, we study:
2) Subsistence strategies. This area is mainly based on the restoration and analysis of faunal and floral remains. Our topics of study are:
3) Spatial analysis. The study of changes in settlement patterns and intrasite spatial organization is based on the analysis of the spatial distribution of archaeological remains and refits. The main objectives are:
4) Paleoenvironment. Climate changes had a significant impact on plant and animal populations and, consequently, on the human adaptive patterns.
GAPS’ members are involved in fieldwork and laboratory work at several sites in Europe and abroad, either as directors or participants, or studying materials. These projects are a cornerstone of the international profile of this research group. The number of projects, sites and researchers from other regions including Spanish researchers and teams with an international recognition will certainly increase our internationalization expectations.