Castles and Coprolites

When we talk about the foods of the future, insects regularly appear on the list. They are increasingly discussed as an alternative source of protein that could form part of more sustainable food systems. But there’s something slightly odd about calling insects 'alternative' protein - humans have been eating them for thousands of years! In my new paper, Edible insects as heritage foods: towards an archaeology of alternative proteins for food sustainability , published in World Archaeology , I explore what archaeology can tell us about the long history of eating insects, and what that history might contribute to current debates about sustainable food. The archaeological evidence is surprisingly diverse. We can find insects directly in human coprolites, preserved faeces that contain remnants of foods that people actually consumed. At Paisley Caves in Oregon, for example, coprolites dating to the Younger Dryas and early Holocene contain evidence for the consumption of Jerusalem cr...

It has been many years since I last travelled to Türkiye for archaeological fieldwork, so I am incredibly excited that I was able to return this week. Türkiye played a hugely important role in the development of my career as a geoarchaeologist. It is where I spent many years applying sediment micromorphology to archaeological questions, thinking about how buildings were constructed, how spaces were used, how deposits accumulated, and how the microscopic traces left behind by everyday activities can help us understand life in the past. Before getting onto the archaeology, I have to say a very big thank you to the Turkish Consulate General in Edinburgh, who have been incredibly helpful in helping me navigate the visa paperwork. Archaeological research involves rather more bureaucracy than simply booking a flight and turning up at a site with a trowel! Research and archaeological excavation have their own visa arrangements. In addition to the usual documentation, archaeological applicatio...

It's fair to say that in order to be competitive for most permanent academic posts in the UK (and elsewhere), you're likely to need to complete a postdoc after you finish your PhD. But postdocs aren’t just a stepping stone, they’re a chance to define your research identity, build collaborations, and (let’s be honest) keep the lights on while you publish your thesis work. The best fellowships give you time, resources, and freedom to explore big ideas and really grow into independence. I have written recently about the differences between PDRA posts and Fellowships , which you may find helpful if you are not familiar with the difference between these. This post is looking specifically at Fellowship opportunities.  Back in 2018, I wrote a post about postdoctoral funding for archaeologists, which became one of the most read items in the entire blog. The advice in that post still stands, but a lot has changed since then, new schemes have emerged, old ones have evolved, and the ho...