Professor Umberto Albarella from the School of Biosciences has successfully secured over £320,000 in funding to significantly improve and enhance the Bioarchaeology laboratories and collections. The SHEFF BIOARCH project is part of the Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS) programme, will be funded by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council through the UKRI Infrastructure Fund.
The Sheffield Bioarchaeology laboratories, with a special focus on the study of plant and animal remains from archaeological sites - commonly known as archaeobotany and zooarchaeology - have been a global leader in archaeological research for more than 50 years. This investment will ensure the expansion of the facilities, enhancing research capabilities and guaranteeing broader access to the University's invaluable collections.
A rich history and future potential
The University of Sheffield has been building its bioarchaeological collections since the 1960s. These collections include an extensive malacology section and comprehensive sets of fruits, seeds, pollen, wood charcoal, roots, tubers, starch, and phytoliths. The laboratories have been an essential resource for researchers and the commercial sector worldwide, making the continuation of access critical for scholars and professionals studying zooarchaeology and archaeobotany.
Future developments
The SHEFF BIOARCH project aims to develop additional storage facilities, acquire new specimens, and introduce advanced technical devices to support research. The project will also make these collections more widely accessible to students, researchers, and the public. Through partnerships with the Fort Cumberland Laboratories of Historic England and the University of Aberdeen's Department of Archaeology, the project will ensure the provision of reliable, integrated, and sustainable bioarchaeology resources.
The collaboration will also facilitate public engagement by hosting short courses, open days, workshops, and research conferences, expanding the reach of these world-class collections to a broader audience.
I am grateful to the AHRC for this opportunity and delighted to continue making our formidable bioarchaeology collections at the service of our community.
Professor Umberto Albarella
School of Biosciences
he launch of the RICHeS programme is raising the bar for heritage science globally. It signals a new era where art, culture and science unite to stimulate skills, growth and opportunity. It will secure the UK’s position of excellence in the field and help foster world-class collaborations at both national and international levels.
Professor Meggen Gondek
Head of the RICHeS programme
About the Arts and Humanities Research Council
The UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funds internationally outstanding independent researchers across the whole range of the arts and humanities: history, archaeology, digital content, philosophy, languages and literature, design, heritage, area studies, the creative and performing arts, and much more. The quality and range of research supported by AHRC works for the good of UK society and culture and contributes both to UK economic success and to the culture and welfare of societies across the globe.