A look within: mapping the distribution of proteins in teeth

Over the last decade the use of proteins as the focus of archaeological research has become much more popular. With the increased usage there has also been an increase in the diversity of research questions that can be addressed with ancient proteins as well as the methods used to analyse them.

Jan Dekker • February 25, 2023

How the first modern humans lived in Europe

We really don’t know much about how the first modern humans got to Europe and how they lived in when they got there. Part of the problem is that there are few sites that we can attribute to this moment some 40 thousand years ago, particularly in Eastern Europe where they probably first arrived.

Wei Chu • August 23, 2022

Deciphering the Middle to Later Stone Age transition in South Africa from a stone tool perspective

Viola C. Schmid, the new postdoc in the project ‘Finding resolution for the Middle to Later Stone Age transition in South Africa’, is analysing the stone artefacts of Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter.

Viola Schmid • October 08, 2021

Excavating in times of corona

The corona pandemic has upset life around the globe in many different ways and archaeology has not remained unaffected. Research Master's student Jan Dekker reflects on his coronaproof excavation in France.

Jan Dekker • September 02, 2020

Do we have a ‘natural’ friend limit? Taking a closer look at Dunbar’s Number

Written during the outbreak of coronavirus, research master's student Jan Dekker is inspired to take a closer look at social group sizes and human evolution.

Jan Dekker • March 26, 2020

A Spark in the Dark: Shedding Light on the Origins of Fire-making

Our personal relationship with fire has become greatly diminished in the modern era compared to our prehistoric ancestors. Save for gas stoves, candles and the occasional barbeque, fire is not often something we experience day-to-day as it would have been in the past.

Andrew Sorensen • September 10, 2019

leidenarchaeologyblog

human origins

Blogs