Post-Doctoral Position In Archaeology - Lithics

• Title of Main Project: Innovations in Human and Non-Human Communities.
• Title of the Post-Doc Project: The Evolution of Language and Technology: Experiments on Teaching and Learning lithic producing activities.

This call includes a post-doctoral position for Brazilian or foreign researchers. The aim of the project is to understand the minimum necessary complexity of language related to the learning and teaching of Oldowan, Acheulean and Mousterian lithic artifacts production. Experimental replication of the tools and cores may contribute to a more accurate understanding of the relation between applied flaking technology and lithic features. After completing this stage, controlled lithic knapping experiments with volunteers will be necessary. These experiments involve attempts at lithic tool production by people that have never tried to produce any kind of lithic tool before and that have no experience with lithic technology studies. The volunteers will learn from the project author how to produce these tools through different complex systems of teaching, from the less complex (observing and trying to imitate) to the more complex (oral communication, demonstrations and drawings). This research is part of a FAPESP- SPEC Project with an interdisciplinary team formed by researchers from Brazil and the United States. The fellow will be based at the Museum of Archeology and Ethnology (MAE / USP) in São Paulo and should be available for field and laboratory, committing to exclusive dedication to research.
Applicant’s profile: We aim to engage a junior scientist who has produced original research in the field of lithic technology, has broad bases in cultural transmission theory and is willing to work towards the integration between linguistics, lithic production, and cultural transmission, from the above perspective.

Application requirements: Documents or statements indicating (i) a Doctorate degree (PhD) in Archaeology; (ii) One or more academic publications in the core topic of this specific proposal (peer-reviewed by reputed journals); (iii) a Recommendation letter by an academic qualified to provide comments on the applicant’s qualification; (iv) Statement of ability to communicate fluently and write in English.

Work plan: The main goal of the proposed project is to identify the minimum necessary complexity of language and other pedagogic strategies to teach and learn the techniques involved in the production of the Oldowan, Acheulean and Mousterian lithic artifacts.

Candidates should send the Curriculum Summary in the FAPESP model, a motivation letter with justification for the research and two reference letters.

The selected candidate will receive a FAPESP Post-Doctoral Scholarship in the amount of R$ 9,047.40 per month and Technical Reserve equivalent to 15% of the annual scholarship amount to meet unforeseen expenses directly related to the research activity.