Lucia Leierer

My research so far has been focused on carrying out archaeological soil micromorphology combined with the use of FTIR, µFTIR and other mainly soil analytical methods.

During this project I will carry out my PhD focusing on Neanderthal behavior. To accomplish this, I will investigate charred organic matter from black layers of Neanderthal fireplaces.

Having worked on a classical archaeological site in Greece before, the study of Neanderthals will offer me a good opportunity to get closer to the origins of humankind.

Studying charred organic matter has always interested me since charred particles carry a lot of information that has not yet been studied intensively in archaeological context. Their study also provides an opportunity to contribute to the study of the disappearance of the Neanderthals.

I hope to find fat derived char since I worked with it before and look forward to get interesting results out of it which could hold information on Neanderthal diets.