This project focuses on the use of osteoarchaeological methods to provide new data on the demography, nutritional status and health of enslaved Africans in order to gain new insights into their physical quality of life and the physical effects of enslavement.
By drawing on various skeletal collections associated with the African diaspora and transatlantic slave trade, we plan to i) assess and document the state of preservation of the skeletal material, before ii) compiling age and sex profiles and iii) recording any pathologies or signs of trauma that could be indicative of nutritional deficiencies, diseases or violent abuse.
In addition, we plan to iv) assess biological ancestry of each individual, using a combination of anthropometric and anthroposcopic techniques. Finally, we also plan to v) collect data on dental modification, as it might yield information on the captives’ ethnic origins.
Given the fundamental role that this material plays in the project, the research will be closely tied in with other projects including ESR2, ESR3, and ESR7 that rely on similar material, plus ESR4, ESR9, and ESR13 that provide the context for interpretation of the results.
Eligible applicants for this Fellowship (equivalent to a PhD position) must possess both an upper second-class degree or international equivalent and a masters degree (MA/MSc) or international equivalent in the field of anthropology, archaeology, biology or a related field. It is further required that the degree was acquired no more than 4 years prior to the appointment. For those applicants for whom English is not their first language, an IELTS score of 6.5 in each band is required. Please note that language certificates should not be more than two years old.
Further info: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/pg/admissions-statements/2012artpgr.html
At the time of the selection, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the appointment.
The fellowship covers tuition fees and monthly salary in line with the FP7-PEOPLE-2010-ITN. The fellowship also offers mobility, travel and career exploratory allowances.
