Exploring the past, understanding the present and shaping the future

Department of Archaeology & Anthropology research

We are concerned with all aspects of the Historic Environment as evidence of past human activity and its associated consequences that people can find, see, hear, understand, feel, debate, and contest in the present world.

Archaeology involves the systematic study of human cultures through material remains, asking: Who did what? When? Where? How? And Why? Physical and biological Anthropology involves the study of humankind through comparative studies of societies and cultures. Forensic archaeology and anthropology focus on crime-scene investigations and the preparation of evidence for use by courts of law. Heritage, whether cultural or natural, tangible or intangible, focuses on the things inherited from the past that we choose to investigate, document, manage, interpret, use, and represent in various ways.

Interactive Map of Research Projects

Below you will find an interactive map with links providing further information about some of our current research projects.

Research centres and institutes

Institute for Studies in Landscape & Human Evolution

Our research is focused on tackling these questions from a landscape based perspective, integrating palaeoanthropology, ecology, remote sensing of modern analogues and both earth and computer science. We are collaborating with computer animators to bring our science alive in the imaginations of both scientific and non-scientific audiences.

Institute for the Modelling of Socio-Environmental Transitions

The Institute for the Modelling of Socio-Environmental Transitions (IMSET) addresses the interplay between population history, cultural practices and the dynamics of environmental systems, and how they unfold across different scales.

A–Z of current and past research projects

AIP – Archaeological investigations Project

The Archaeological Investigations Project (AIP), funded by English Heritage, systematically collected information about the nature and outcomes of more than 80,000 archaeological projects undertaken between 1990 and 2010.

Avebury Landscapes

Extensive geophysical surveys of Avebury World Heritage Site address big academically and societally relevant questions, such as the social use of space at different times in the past.

Building Roman Britain

This innovative programme of archaeological science will characterise stone and ceramic building materials and explore the contexts within which they were produced.

Early Monumentality and Social Differentiation in Western Mecklenburg

Investigating the origin and development of large-scale monuments, and the emergence of early complex societies, on the north European Plain, to examine the relations between monumental building and social structures after the emergence of sedentism at around 4100 BC.

Human Henge: heritage and well-being

BU is a partner in the Human Henge project co-ordinated by the Restoration Trust and also involving Richmond Fellowship, English Heritage, and The National Trust. Using natural and constructed landscapes to promote health and well-being has a long and distinguished history stretching back to the pilgrimages of medieval times.

Living With Monuments Project

Survey and excavation in the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of Avebury, to discover more about the people that inhabited it and the ways they lived.

Scaling-up Human Henge

Exploring ways to improve mental well-being with therapeutic activities in ancient landscapes

Athena Swan

CAA is committed to working to the principles of the Athena SWAN Charter, and is delighted to be supporting the Departments of Archaeology, Anthropology, and Forensic Science; and Life and Environmental Sciences in their November 2016 Silver Award submissions.

Latest news from the department

15/04/2024

New study explores the moon's influence on the design of Stonehenge

A new study will explore Stonehenge's relationship to the moon, and how it may have affected the placement of the stones when the ancient monument was built.

18/12/2023

Ancient human activity created nutrient hotspots for animals and plants

Ancient human settlements have supported biodiversity in Africa as research has found that these nutrient-rich habitats have become grazing hotspots.

30/10/2023

Ancient crafting skills at BU are helping to alleviate modern-day stress