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Well, I am a physical anthropologist and I’m currently conducting my post-doctoral research here in Durham to
reconstruct the human behaviour, mobility trend and subsistence strategies in metal ages, which corresponds to
the period included between 3300 BC to 400 BC, in Western Italy.
My main research interests focus on the reconstruction of way of life, human behaviour and activities of past
societies in the Mediterranean and trans-alpine area through an anthropological and biochemical point of view.
I have been recently involved in a project on Bronze age Kuwait that aims to reconstruct dietary patterns and
mobility trends and that’s why I have applied to this position, because I’m spreading my research interests in the
middle east as well as to address issues related to movement and identity within past communities. The Jordanian
communities involved in the proposed project are coevals with the societies I am currently investigating, this
evidence paves the basis for new potential synergies to be used for interesting comparisons.
Following my master, I have developed a great deal of experience and I have worked with passion in
anthropology and stable isotope analyses. As a result, I have always looked for pursuing my interests integrating
heterogeneous data and applying new cutting-edge methodologies to my research, as also requested for this
position.
Talking about a Work strategy I would follow for this project I have thought to divide the project in 5
steps:1st step: June/July 2019 (3 weeks):
1) isotopic analysis in Durham (sample preparation procedures in the Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry and
Arthur Holmes Trace Element and Isotope Laboratories at Durham University)
2) analysis and interpretation of the first results (in collaboration with all team members)
B. Isotopic analysis and purposes (Durham isotope and trace element labs):
ANIMALS:
A. Sample strategy
- museum sample collections (if animals are found in the sites/necropolis associated to humans):
1) Mammals (e.g. sheep/goats)
2) Small mammals
3) Terrestrial snails
B. Isotopic analysis and purposes (Durham isotope and trace element labs):
A. Sample strategy
- museum sample collections (if archaeobotanical remains were found in the sites/necropolis):
1) Archaeological grains
- fieldwork in Jordan (modern plants to sample along a defined transect and water where it is accessible):
1) Plants (leaves from herbaceous plants)
2) Groundwater
B. Isotopic analysis and purposes (Durham isotope and trace element labs):
1) why did you apply for this job when you are actually involved in another project?
- working in Jordan will enrich me as a scientist bla bla why Jordan is a good place --- link with Kuwait
2) You have another project…how you gonna work on both? How will you be able to run successfully the 2
projects?