Title: Social, Cultural and Biological Evolution during the Pleistocene (StEP)
Coordinator: Dr. Andreu Ollé
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 01239 (double filiation IPHES-URV Group)
Researchers: Dr. Mikel Arlegi, Dr. Adrián Arroyo, Dr. Amèlia Bargalló, Dr. Guillermo Bustos, Dr. Constantino Buzi, Dr. Eudald Carbonell, Dr. Joana Gabucio, Dr. Beatriz Gamarra, Dr. Paula García-Medrano, Dr. Phil Glauberman, Dr. Raquel Hernando, Dr. Rosa Huguet, Dr. Federica Landi, Dr. Carlos Lorenzo, Dr. Marina Lozano, Dr. Jordi Marcé, Dr. Marina Mosquera, Dr. Carmen Rissech, Dr. Xosé Pedro Rodríguez, Dr. Antonio Rodríguez-Hidalgo, Dr. Palmira Saladié, Dr. Alessio Veneziano, Dr. Josep Maria Vergès.
PhD students: Pamela Akuku, Andion Arteaga, Antonietta Del Bove, Andrea Díaz, Francesc Marginedas, Mario Marqueta, Paula Mateo, Chiara Messana, Clara Mielgo, Miguel Ángel Moreno, Míriam Salas, Alfredo Suesta, Noé Valtierra, Görkem Cenk Yeşilova.
Support to research staff: Dr. Lucía López-Polín, Anna Francès, Maria Dolors Guillén, María Martínez, David Miró, Javier Sopesens, Andrea Alías.
Collaborations: (affiliated researchers) Dr. Lena Asryan, Dr. Juan Luis Fernández, Dr. Diego Lombao, Dr. Juan Marín, Dr. Julio Mercader, Dr. Antonio Pineda, Dr. Gizéh Rangel de Lázaro, Dr. Boris Santander, Dr. Laxmi Tumung.
Summary: StEP group aims to study Human Evolution on its biological, social, and technological developments in the Pleistocene (although younger contexts are also studied). The main areas of research are palaeoanthropology, zooarchaeology and taphonomy, lithic technology, early human cognition (primate archaeology and cognitive technology), and preparation and conservation of archaeo-palaeontological materials.
The scientific approach relies heavily on fieldwork, the systematic preparation and analysis of archaeological materials to get reliable empirical data, and actualism and experimentation as methods for formulating and contrasting explanatory hypotheses. All of this enables a critical debate and creative additions to the interpretative methodologies.
Our main interest is focused on the palaeoecological connections between biological and cultural evolution, especially in the context of early European human settlement. From fieldwork to publication of results, the strategy is interdisciplinary in nature and involves research, teaching, and socialisation of knowledge.
Objectives and research lines:
The shared objective of the group is the study of human evolution during the Pleistocene, for which special focus is posed on the following domains of research:
1. Lithic technology
Redefining key issues of the European Pleistocene technocomplexes regarding 3 key moments: a) from the first Mode 1 evidence until the appearance and diffusion of the early Acheulean; b) the roots of the Middle Palaeolithic; and c) the appearance of the early Upper Palaeolithic.
Interpretation of site formation processes and occupational models basing on the spatial and technological dimensions of the lithic refitting.
Application of multi-technique and multi-scalar microwear and residues analyses (including optical, 3D digital, scanning electron, and confocal microscopes as well as vibrational spectroscopy) to archaeological assemblages.
Introduction of the formal modelling in the study of the diffusion of technology.
2. Cognitive archaeology
3. Zooarchaeology and taphonomy
4. Palaeoanthropology
Application of microscopic and 3D methods (SEM, confocal, 3D microscopy, microCT, surface scanner, photogrammetry and geometric morphometrics) for the palaeobiological and morphological study of human fossils and recent past populations.
Computational biomechanics models and functional analysis of paleoanthropological remains to study the evolution of the hominin and primate lineage.
5. Conservation of archaeological materials
The research topics of this group share the same general empirical framework based on the different fieldwork projects led or specifically participated by their members, both in Spain and abroad. Those projects include:
In Spain:
International:
StEP aims to consolidate and strengthen the ongoing transfer actions related to heritage enhancement of the archaeological sites as cultural and touristic items of the region where these are located. Indeed, the research lines of the group will continue to feed the Atapuerca System actively collaborating with stakeholders such as Museo de la Evolución Humana and Fundación Atapuerca. The group is involved in the heritagisation process of Barranc de la Boella archaeological site (Tarragona) by executing the operation “Mamut” as a part of the “TurisTic en família” (FEDER-RIS3CAT) in collaboration with Diputació de Tarragona and Ajuntament de la Canonja. A similar process is being launched at the interpretation centre of NEAN-Parc Prehistòric de Capellades, in collaboration with Ajuntament de Capellades and Diputació de Barcelona. Finally, a Master Plan for the heritage enhancement of the Paleolithic engravings of Font Major cave is being developed in collaboration with Ajuntament de l’Espluga de Francolí and other regional public bodies.