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Join us for a fascinating talk by Javier Davara (University of La Laguna, Spain; Visiting PhD Student at UAF’s ADAPt Lab) as he explores how molecular archaeology is helping us better understand Neanderthal behavior. By studying ancient lipid residues—tiny molecular traces left behind by human activity—Javier’s research sheds light on how Neanderthals used fire, tools, and their environments tens of thousands of years ago. His work at the remarkable site of El Salt in southeastern Spain offers new insights into daily life and technological innovation among our ancient relatives.This free, public event is part of the UAF Department of Anthropology’s Colloquium Series. All are welcome to attend and learn how chemistry is revealing new stories about the deep human past.
🔍"Decoding Neanderthal Behavior through Lipid Biomarkers: New Perspectives in Molecular Archaeology" with Javier Davara
📅 Date: Friday, November 14th
🕓 Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm
📍 Location: Bunnell 302 & Zoom
💻 Zoom Link: https://alaska.zoom.us/j/88314588159
Abstract
Lipid biomarkers play an important role in archaeological research due to their exceptional preservation over time and their potential to trace specific biotic sources. This makes them powerful tools for reconstructing past human activities and environments. In this talk, I will focus on my research on the Neanderthal site of El Salt in southeastern Spain, noted for its exceptional organic preservation and for holding over one hundred combustion features associated with recurrent human occupations between ~60 and 40 ka BP. These characteristics make El Salt a key locality for studying Neanderthal pyrotechnology. Here, I will present recent work exploring the potential of lipid biomarkers to determine the functionality of stone tools associated with these human occupations, through the characterization of lipids preserved along their edges that are detectable only at the molecular level. I will then discuss ongoing research that I am conducting at the ADAPt Lab (University of Alaska Fairbanks) in collaboration with Dr. Tammy Buonasera, focusing on lipid residues preserved in ash and black layers from Neanderthal combustion features at El Salt. This research aims to identify the functionality of different hearth types—such as pit and flat hearths—and to develop and assess novel methodological approaches for Palaeolithic sedimentary lipid analysis.
About the Speaker
Javier Davara is an archaeologist specializing in organic residue analysis and the study of the biomolecular archaeological record of prehistoric sites. His doctoral research focuses on lipid biomarkers preserved in stone tools and sediments from the Middle Palaeolithic site of El Salt (Alcoy, Spain). Through this work, he seeks to uncover how Neanderthal groups managed and used organic resources, while also deepening our understanding of the paleoenvironmental conditions of the site during the last glacial period.
About the UAF Department of Anthropology
The UAF Department of Anthropology explores the rich diversity of human experience—past and present—through archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. Our students and faculty are dedicated to understanding people and cultures in Alaska and around the world, combining fieldwork, research, and community engagement to advance knowledge and inspire discovery.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Bunnell 302, 1790 Tanana Loop, Fairbanks, AK 99775, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
