Human Origins and Palaeolithic
Our research helps us understand human origins and the Palaeolithic era through studies in evolutionary anthropology, anatomy and material culture. Using advanced techniques we explore themes such as the evolution of emotions and the origins of art and adornment.
At York we have a vibrant research community exploring human origins and the Palaeolithic with particular strengths in evolutionary anthropology, anatomy and material culture from across the globe and the full span of the Palaeolithic.
Our research encompasses material culture, anatomy, cognition and emotion, evolutionary anthropology, art and personal ornamentation, genetics, early domestication events and diet.
To explore these themes we use techniques such as isotopic analysis, genomic sequencing, 3D modelling and printing, geometric morphometrics, agent based modelling and experimental archaeology, finite element analysis, and multibody dynamic analysis.
Our group works on a number of major research projects, asking questions such as How did emotions evolve and how does this shape who we are today? How did anatomy impact aspects of behaviour in early hominin species and what can we learn about ourselves and our bodies? How and why did humans domesticate dogs and what does this tell us about our special relationship with this animal today? Why did humans make art and adorn themselves and why do we still see these behaviours today?
Project spotlight
- Hidden Depths - developing our understanding of pro-social emotions in human evolution.