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Dr Julia Best

Dr Julia Best

Lecturer in Bioarchaeology

Email
bestj3@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 22512373
Campuses
Room 5.49a, John Percival Building, Colum Drive, Cardiff, CF10 3EU
Users
Available for postgraduate supervision

Overview

I am a specialist in bioarchaeology, particularly zooarchaeology. My work has spanned a wide range of periods and locations, with a focus on Neolithic and Medieval archaeology. My primary research interest is using cutting-edge analytical techniques to explore ancient animal-human interactions. Through this we can reconstruct past societies, lifeways, and economies through multi-disciplinary approaches.

Specific themes I’m interested in include:

  • Avian zooarchaeology
  • British zooarchaeology
  • Medieval economy and craft
  • Scottish island environment and resource use
  • Consuming prehistory: feeding Stonehenge
  • Outreach and engagement

Biography

Career Overview

2016 - present: Cardiff University, Lecturer in Bioarchaeology and Lecturer in Archaeology.

2017 - 2020: Bournemouth University, Zooarchaeological researcher

2014 - 2017: Bournemouth University, Post-Doctoral Research Associate on the AHRC "Cultural and Scientific Perceptions of Human-Chicken Interactions’” Project

Education and Qualifications

Cardiff University

Sept 2009 – Sept 2013. Viva Dec 2013.  Graduated 2014.

PhD (AHRC Funded). Living in Liminality: an Osteoarchaeological Investigation into the Use of Avian Resources in North Atlantic Island Environments

Cardiff University

2008-2009

MA Archaeology (AHRC Funded), Distinction.

Cardiff University

2005-2008

BA Archaeology,  First Class Honours

Honours and awards

2022: Craftwork: New impacts from ancient items. Innovation for all grant. Mulville PI, Best Co-I. (£13,326)

2017: "Causing a Flap: using chicken-based research to transform education, poultry production and human well-being" AHRC Follow on Funding Research Grant (£73,382) https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=AH%2FR003998%2F1

2017: Bournemouth University Bridging Fund Scheme for Research Staff (£8,124)

2016: Lead coordinator NERC ‘Early Chicken Dispersal in Europe: Tracing the Spread of Avian Livestock: Radiocarbon dating project’ (NF/2015/2/5). 14 dates (c. £5040)

2014: Bournemouth University Fusion Fund for Undergraduate Research Assistant (£748)

Publications

We are currently unable to retrieve the list of publications. Visit our institutional repository.

Teaching

I teach across several areas of archaeology at UG and PGT level, with a focus on the archaeological sciences. I am currently module leader for: Zooarchaeology; Analysing Archaeology; The Archaeology of Britain: Prehistory to Present; PGT MA Dissertation.

I co-coordinate Biomolecular Archaeology, and contribute to a diverse range of other modules including: Forensic and Osteoarchaeology; Applied Archaeological Science; Medieval Archaeology; Death and Commemoration; Medieval Worlds; Themes and Methods in Medieval Archaeology; Discovering Archaeology; Archaeology Field and Practical Skills.

I am a supervisor for Independent Studies, UG Dissertations and PGT dissertations.

Supervision

I am available for 2nd supervision of PGR students. I am interested in supervising students in areas such as:

  • Zooarchaeology
  • Avian archaeology
  • Animal introductions and extinctions
  • Diet and health
  • Animal pathology
  • Medieval economy and craft
  • Experimental archaeology, particularly textiles.

Past projects