Plant materials played a key role in the daily life of Stone Age hunter-gatherer communities. Unfortunately, such sources have rarely been preserved to the present day. However, a notable exception in northeastern Europe is the complex of sites in Šventoji in Lithuania (Fig. 1), dated to the 4th and early 3rd millennium BC. An extraordinary collection of wooden artefacts was discovered here, comprising thousands of objects and their fragments, totalling over 530 items (Fig. 2). These finds are probably the most extensive collection of artefacts associated with Stone Age hunter-gatherer-fisher communities in Europe. In addition, a unique collection of plant fibre products numbering hundreds of specimens was discovered at the site in Šventoji, including well- preserved ropes for various purposes, fishing nets and mats.
The PARTS project has two main goals: archaeological, contributing to a better understanding of human societies in the Stone Age, and methodological, referring to the need to develop a correct methodology for researching ancient products made of plant materials.
We invite the following to cooperate in the project:
1. At the POST-DOC type position, we will employ a researcher who, in cooperation with us, will conduct experimental and microscopic studies on the possibilities of use-wear analysis of wooden products on the selected types of artefacts. The subject of the conducted studies will be the collection of such artefacts from Šventoji. Information on the detailed duties of the person holding this position and the qualification requirements will be provided within a month in the competition announcement. Please see here for the postdoctoral position details: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/311834
In addition, we invite to cooperate within the project a person with a master's degree who decides to undertake doctoral studies at the Doctoral School of Humanities, Theology and Arts at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and, under the supervision of Dr. hab. Grzegorz Osipowicz, prof. UMK (Department of Prehistory, Institute of Archeology, NCU in Toruń) and Dr Gytis Piličiauskas (Lithuanian Institute of History) carry out a program of technological and traceological research, culminating in a doctoral dissertation on the possibility of conducting technological analyses of prehistoric wooden artefacts.
We also search for 2-3 people with a BA degree who will undertake experimental and traceology research, culminating in a master's thesis, addressing the problem of the possibility of identifying technological and use-wear traces of various types of wooden artefacts. Details are to be agreed upon individually.
We provide students and doctoral students participating in the project with education in the field of the traceological method, comprehensive development and acquisition of experience in an international, interdisciplinary research team, and participation in our publications and project ventures, including foreign trips.
Interested parties are asked to contact us at: grezegor@umk.pl
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