Research Interests
Archaeology of the North
At a time when the global North has increasingly become a contested space that pits geopolitical competitions for diminishing natural resources against issues of environmental conservation and sustainability, Aberdeen is at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of our understanding of northern cultural diversity both in the past and present.
Supervisors: Professor Kate Britton, Dr Rebecca Crozier, Dr Charlotta Hillerdal, Dr Edouard Masson-MacLean, Professor Gordon Noble, Dr Jeff Oliver, Dr Michael Stratigos, Dr Joshua Wright
Human Palaeoecology & Bioarchaeology
Research related to the origin, nature and rate of long-term environmental and climatic changes and their impact on human responses. Our staff have in-house methodological specialisms in osteoarchaeology and palaeopathology, zooarchaeology, isotope analysis, ancient DNA and palynology.
Supervisors: Professor Kate Britton, Dr Rebecca Crozier, Dr Linus Girdland Flink, Dr Edouard Masson-MacLean, Dr Michael Stratigos, Professor Tim Mighall (Geography), Dr Ed Schofield (Geography)
Public, Community, and Indigenous Archaeologies
Archaeology finds its contemporary relevance in research projects discussing concepts including: identity, heritage, ethics, social engagement, and public involvement.
Supervisors: Dr Charlotta Hillerdal, Dr Elisabeth Niklasson, Professor Gordon Noble, Dr Jeff Oliver, Dr Michael Stratigos
Ancient DNA
Unravelling clues about past peoples and cultures from their genetics.
Supervisor: Dr Linus Girdland Flink
Arctic Archaeology
The challenges of the northern environment unite communities in the Arctic - past and present. Today, arctic archaeology is facing new challenges from climate emergency; erosion, melting permafrost and ecologies in flux.
Supervisors: Dr Charlotta Hillerdal and Dr Edouard Masson-MacLean
Early Medieval Archaeology
A major centre of research on the post-Roman societies of northern Britain and Scandinavia, and the forging of Early Medieval kingdoms.
Supervisors: Professor Gordon Noble and Dr Charlotta Hillerdal
Eurasia
Research in Eurasia ranges from the exploration of everyday life among ancient nomads to the study of the structure of the empire on the steppe.
Supervisor: Dr Joshua Wright
Heritage
Heritage is at once an idea and a thing - something near and dear to people's hearts that can represent who we are, as well as official narratives and heritage sites. More than who we are, heritage is about who we want to be as communities and nations. It infuses the past with present purposes, making heritage an important field of study for understanding societies across time.
Supervisor: Dr Elisabeth Niklasson
Historical and Contemporary Archaeology
We explore the more recent past through a range of themes, from diet and disease among early-modern populations in Scotland to the creation of settler communities in 19th- and 20th-century Canada.
Supervisor: Dr Jeff Oliver
Isotope Bioarchaeology
Specialists in reconstructing past diets, movements, and environments through chemical analysis of human and animal remains.
Supervisor: Professor Kate Britton
Landscapes
Landscapes are an interdisciplinary subject. They may be quantitative or qualitative; they can be explored with scientific instruments, using our bodies or through our imaginations.
Supervisors: Dr Jeff Oliver, Dr Joshua Wright and Dr Michael Stratigos
Mortuary Archaeology
Death is universal; our response to it is not. From skeletal remains to grave goods, different lines of evidence are brought together to explore diverse and changing attitudes to the inevitable.
Supervisor: Dr Rebecca Crozier
Zooarchaeology
From our earliest human ancestors to the present day, animals are intricately linked to human societies. With our vast zoological, modern reference, and archaeological collections, we have expertise in morphological, taphonomic, and biomolecular study of animal remains to better understand past human economies, trade, crafts, and experiences.
Supervisors: Professor Kate Britton and Dr Edouard Masson-MacLean
