We investigate the microscopic and molecular record of several archaeological contexts yielding late Neandertals and early Anatomically Modern Human occupations throughout Europe.

The MATRIX ERC project proposes an analytical shift from traditional approaches that rely mainly on the study of macroscopic (visible) stone tools and fossils. Instead, the MATRIX project investigates the association between the biological human signals, local paleoclimatic conditions, and the human made material culture and features by analyzing the micro and molecular record preserved in archaeological sediments.

The project seeks to systematically assess the microstratigraphy of archaeological deposits between ~50 to 40 ka BP using undisturbed micromorphology samples. These intact highly contextualized samples are key to establish the integrity of the deposits and will be directly targeted for biomolecule studies on ancient DNA (aDNA), proteins, and lipids while retaining a micro-scale stratigraphic control.