Collaborators on the project are Dr Noora Taipale (FNRS, TraceoLab), Dr Viola Schmid (TraceoLab, Austrian Academy of Sciences, University of Vienna, University of the Witwatersrand), and Prof. Lyn Wadley (ESI, University of the Witwatersrand).
This work is fundamental to deepening our knowledge about tool manufacture and subsistence of past hunter-gatherers within their social structures and habitats through functional and technological analyses.
Dr Roussel used thin, elongated blanks to apply diverse techniques of backing and larger, thicker elements to pressure flake them with the horn of a roan antelope into points with basal ventral thinning.
Our latest knapping adventure took us to Leiden, where Dr. Morgan Roussel from Paleocraft and Skills demonstrated his expertise. He crafted various blanks from siliceous stones sourced from ancient river terraces near Rose Cottage Cave and western Lesotho.
The project ”Experiment-based approach to Middle Stone Age artisanship at Rose Cottage Cave” strikes again. Funded by a Research Grant from The Leakey Foundation, we continue to investigate lithic technology between 100-30 ka at this reference Stone Age site in South Africa.
Responsibilities include:
✓ Teaching at BA & MA levels
✓ Archaeological fieldwork
✓ Co-managing Museum of Prehistory
✓ International research collaborations
Don't miss this opportunity!
#AcademicJobs #Archaeology
Requirements:
PhD in Prehistory/Archaeology
Publications & research portfolio
Regular excavation experience
University teaching experience
French language (B2/C1)
🚨 ONLY 9 DAYS LEFT TO APPLY! 🚨
🎓 ACADEMIC POSITION: Full-time Professor in Prehistoric Art & Archaeology
📍 University of Liège, Belgium
📅 Start: Sept 1, 2026
⏰ DEADLINE: Jan 29, 2026
Tenure-track | Teaching + Research + Fieldwork
Apply NOW: my.uliege.be/portail/go_x...
🧵⬇️
(Reconstructing myths to shed light on the past: how can we understand Upper Palaeolithic cave art?)
We’re pleased to announce that Dr Julien d’Huy will give a lecture on Wednesday 17th entitled Remonter les mythes pour éclairer le temps : comment comprendre l'art des cavernes durant le Paléolithique supérieur ?
What better way to end CONEXP than with a series of experimental demonstrations? Thank you to all of our participants and to the Préhistomuseum, it has been such an enriching and engaging experience. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!
That’s a wrap on Day 3! Another fantastic day filled with incredible presentations — a big thank you goes out to all of our presenters and attendees. We can’t wait to see you all tomorrow for a full day of experimental archaeology demonstrations at the Préhistomuseum!
What an amazing second day at CONEXP 2025! It’s been an inspiring day filled with presentations, discussions, cultural activities, and fresh perspectives on diverse topics. We’re excited for tomorrow! #conexp2025
Conexp 2025 has started! We look forward to four days of interesting talks, cool posters and exciting experimental demonstrations.
Our keynote speaker Miguel Biard tells about the fascinating experiments related to the large blade production at the famous Magdalenian site of Etiolles.
ℹ️ More information about the full public program:
www.conexp2025.uliege.be/cms/c_204988...
#Traceolab #ConExp2025 #ExperimentalArchaeology #QuatreLiège #Préhistomuseum #ULiège
Our colleague Justin Coppe was interviewed today on regional TV channel Quatre Liège's midday news to promote two special events as part of our upcoming CONEXP2025 congress on experimental archaeology:
📺 Watch the broadcast: www.quatre.be/article/le-j...
From stone to thread, technique to tradition, we are reviving ancient skills through experimental archaeology! 💪 Interested in the results? Stay tuned! 📸
✨ To prepare for our upcoming workshop and demonstration on Saturday, October 25th at the Prehistomuseum, as part of the CONEXP 2025 event (www.conexp2025.uliege.be)
Why are we on this journey? There are two main reasons:
✨ To perform experiments for our Synthese Project, "Mobility Network and Lifestyle of Mesolithic Hunter-Gatherers in the Demer Basin"
We are deeply involved in the craft of producing natural fibers, utilising Wommersom quartzite tools to manage brambles, just like Mesolithic hunter-gatherers may have done 10,000 years ago! 🌿🪨
#syntheseonderzoekarcheologie
Conférence inaugurale de @teyssand31.bsky.social (@cnrs.fr) "Seul au monde: comment Sapiens est devenu le dernier humain?" en ouverture du CONEXP2025 (7e Congrès International d’Archéologie Expérimentale)
@traceolab.bsky.social @universitedeliege.bsky.social
traces.univ-tlse2.fr/accueil/agen...
Starting date: between 1/1/2026 - 28/2/2026
Postdoctoral scholarship, contract of 1 year (extension possible)
Further details: contact Veerle Rots
Application: in English; motivation letter (max 2p), summary of PhD thesis (max 1p), publication list, CV, copy of PhD degree, names and contact details of 2 recognised scholars who accept to write a reference (not to be contacted yet)
All documents to be sent to Veerle Rots
Deadline: 30/11/2025
Profile :
Phd in Archaeology, Archaeometry, or similar
Expertise in optical profilometry and/or wear analysis, preferably of prehistoric stone tools
Excellent track record, excellent writing skills, fluent in English (also writing),
Experience with Palaeolithic archaeology and lithic technology
Want to advance use-wear analysis methodology?
OPEN CALL! WE'RE HIRING: POST-DOC POSITION IN TRACEOLAB
Topic: optical profilometry of use-wear traces on prehistoric stone tools, methodological development and archaeological application, integration with other methods used in TraceoLab
“From Polishing to Burning: Deciphering a Middle Neolithic Hoard from Beringen Brouwershuis (Belgium) through Functional Analysis.”
👉 Read the open-access article here: www.jna.uni-kiel.de/index.php/jn...
Sonja, Dries & Veerle co-authored an article in the Journal of Neolithic Archaeology: “From Polishing to Burning: Deciphering a Middle Neolithic Hoard from Beringen Brouwershuis (Belgium) through Functional Analysis.”
Noora had the chance to visit the debated cave site Susiluola (Wolf Cave) and participate together with colleagues in the filming of a documentary series on the history of Finland produced by Yle, to be aired in 2026.
Photo credit: Timo Heikkinen & Mikael A. Manninen
The results suggest that, based on such a combination, it is possible to identify the use of percussion (direct and indirect) and pressure, as well as to differentiate between the use of harder and softer contact tools.
This study focuses on knapping techniques. It describes the microscopic traces associated with knapping and shows how they can be combined with macroscopic traces to strengthen the identification of knapping techniques.