Duration: 2025-06-13 to 2031-06-12
Abstract: Non-adult individuals provide critical insight into biological, environmental, and cultural stressors. According to the Osteological Paradox, skeletal pathologies may reflect resilience and extended survival, emphasizing the value of studying non-adult paleopathology. Fetal and infant bones differ from adults in structure due to rapid growth or disease, making it challenging to distinguish normal development from pathology. Therefore, refined methods are essential for accurate bioarchaeological and paleopathological interpretations in immature remains. Genetic, hormonal, anatomical, and immunological sex-based differences must also be considered. Males are generally more susceptible to disease and early mortality, whereas females often show greater resilience. Nonetheless, gendered social norms historically reduced female survival and well-being, reinforcing inequality. As such, sex should be a key variable in evaluating extracortical bone changes.
This project investigates the health-survival relationship and immature skeletal biology using non-destructive stereoscopic microscopy, X-rays, and standard osteometric techniques. It will analyze individuals under 6 years old from contemporary identified European osteological collections. Bone surface features will be assessed by sex, age, and cause of death. The unprecedented comparative scope of these identified collections offers a unique framework for understanding normal and pathological variation across different regions. Long bone metrics will provide further context. The project promises major advances in non-adult paleopathology and fosters future interdisciplinary collaboration and methodological development.
Financial support: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) CEEC IND6ed
Coordinator: Álvaro Manuel Monge Calleja
Partner institutions: CIAS – Research Center for Anthropology and Health
Reference: 2023.09144.CEECIND/CP2832/CT0022
Duration: 2025 – 2028
Abstract: This project examines the evolution of tuberculosis in Portugal over the last 4000 years. By analysing skeletal remains, we aim to understand how TB has affected the Portuguese population, how the mycobacteria have evolved, and how the human immune system has adapted to the disease over time. Moreover, the project integrates historical research to contextualize findings, allowing us to infer the true impact of TB on the Portuguese population.
Coordinator: Ana Maria Silva (CIAS/UC)
Participants: Francisco Curate (CIAS/UC); Fabiana Ribeiro (CIAS/UC); Teresa Rito (UM), Pedro Soares (UM), Maria Pala (Univ. of Huddersfield), Martin Richards (Univ. of Huddersfield) and Rui Martiniano (Liverpool John Moores University)
Partner Institutions: University of Coimbra, University of Minho
Financial support: FCT: Foundation for Science and Technology
Reference: 2023.18462.ICDT
Duration: 2025 – 2026
Abstract: Archaeological site occupation time span estimates can take the form of quantitative and qualitative intervals. The former can use methods such as radiocarbon dating to obtain temporal calendar intervals that, in some cases, can be fairly precise. For the latter, broader temporal qualitative intervals can be inferred from the characterization of collected materials and artefacts, the identification of specific physical structures, or the type of burial practices. With the increasing incorporation of genomic analysis in archaeological studies where human remains are present, specifically to study population origins, admixture, and social organisation, radiocarbon dates are frequently obtained from the osteological materials being analysed. This allows for a better integration of the genomic, archaeological, and anthropological data, but also leads to an increased usage of finite and unique osteological material. To overcome this, it is theoretically possible to estimate site occupation interval spans using an intertwined matrix of genomic admixture intervals, and only a handful radiocarbon dates for calibration, if calendar dates are required. This project aims to use genomic admixture date estimation software, such as DATES, to evaluate the efficacy of the proposed methodology by using published data from hundreds of samples, and by producing a new genomic and radiocarbon dataset from a site in Portugal. The latter will allow subsampling and simulation analysis, which will be essential for statistical testing of a new open source bioinformatic analytical tool, named OCCUPOMICS, which would allow the user to quickly calculate site occupation intervals and calendar dates by inputting a genomic dataset and any related direct radiocarbon dates. This project, therefore, could lead to a decreased need of radiocarbon dates when site-wise genomic data is available, provide improved precision in dating sites, as well as saving unique osteological material and reducing costs.
Coordinator: Daniel Magalhães Fernandes (CIAS)
Supervisor: Ana Maria Silva (CIAS)
Financial support: Financial support: European Research Area (ERA) fellowship, HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-TALENTS-02-01, European Commission, 172 618.56€
Reference: 101180633 — OCCUPOMICS — HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-02
Duration: 2024-ongoing
Abstract: Paleoanthropological and bioarchaeological research is increasingly multidisciplinary and requires the integration of diverse theoretical frameworks and methodologies to understand the biology and lifeways of past peoples. This project will integrate a wide range of approaches for understanding the human past—from the virtual to microscopic and molecular to experimental—in three areas: paleoanthropology, bioarchaeology, and domestication.
Coordinator: John Willman
Financial support: Foundation for Science and Technology, Individual Call to Scientific Employment Stimulus – 6th Edition, Assistant Researcher
Reference: https://doi.org/10.54499/2023.08043.CEECIND/CP2832/CT0017
Duration: 2024/01/04 – 2026/03/31
Coordinators: Vítor Matos & Carina Marques
Partner Institutions: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – Edinburg Campus, United States; Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal; Centro de Investigação em Antropologia e Saúde -Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
Financial support: National Science Foundation, United States
Reference: NSF Award Number 2341415
Duration: 2024-2025
Coordinator: John Willman
Financial support: Archaeological Institute of America’s Archaeology of Portugal Fellowship
Duration: 2015-2021, 2023-2029
Abstract: The Cueva de La Dehesilla is an archaeological site located in the Sierra de Cádiz (Southern Spain) with great scientific results and expectations. The first archaeological explorations began in 1977 and 1981, when professors Pilar Acosta and Manuel Pellicer, from the University of Seville, carried out the excavation of two archaeological probes that documented a sequence of human occupation from the Ancient Neolithic to the Copper Age (Acosta and Pellicer, 1990). Since 2015, a new General Research Project called “Cueva de La Dehesilla: Archaeological and palaeoenvironmental study for the knowledge of the prehistoric human occupation of the Sierra de Cádiz” has been carried out. This project is directed by Professor Dr. Daniel García Rivero, attached to the Department of Prehistory and Archaeology of the University of Seville. The project has recently been renewed and is expected to run until 2029. This project is made up of professors and researchers from numerous national and international universities and research centres, and is fortunately offering a notable amount of highly relevant results for a new impulse in the knowledge of the first peasant and livestock populations of the southern Iberian Peninsula and, by extension, of the western Mediterranean.
Coordinator (PI): Daniel G. Rivero (University of Seville, and CIAS)
Participants: Cláudia Umbelino (CIAS)
Financial support: University of Seville; Research Centre for Anthropology and Health (CIAS), University of Coimbra; Ministry of Science and Innovation, Government of Spain (I+D+i projects
Reference: PGC2018-096943-A-C22, and PID2022-137946NB-I00.
Duration: 04/2023 – 03/2028
Abstract: PAS GRAS aims to prevent and reverse obesity and associated metabolic complications in four age groups: pre-pubertal children (3-9 yr), adolescents (10-18 yr), young adults (19-25 yr), and adults (25-55). PAS GRAS focuses on four main pillars. 1) Develop a personalized risk assessment tool (RAT): an algorithm that will anticipate obesity priming and development in the critical age groups, and identify risk factors for specific complications in subsequent years that will constitute new outcomes for interventional studies. 2) Develop and implement RAT-based personalized interventions by integrating non-pharmacological lifestyle modifications including Mediterranean Diet components alone or with rational pharmacological targeting metabolic and neuroendocrine mechanisms. 3) Inform and engage effectively target groups on obesity causes, risks and intervention by co-production of creative and interactive digital tools (including a simpler version of the RAT) and personalized diet and physical activity programs. 4) Expand and consolidate the PAS GRAS tailor-made campaign across Europe through developing joint programs for health and food/nutrition literacy and physical activity, with healthcare centres, schools, sports clubs, municipalities, and other relevant actors and public authorities.
Coordinator: Paulo Oliveira, Universidade de Coimbra
Participants (CIAS): Cristina Padez, Daniela Rodrigues, Aristides M. Machado-Rodrigues, Helena Nogueira
Partner institutions:
- Universidade De Coimbra (997826391) – COORDINATOR
- Universita Degli Studi Di Bari Aldo Moro – UNIBA (999840596) – BENEFICIARY
- Uppsala Universitet – UU (999985029) – BENEFICIARY
- Universidade Nova De Lisboa – UNL (960782479) – BENEFICIARY
- Fundacio Eurecat – EURECAT (928030235) – BENEFICIARY
- Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche – CNR (999979500) – BENEFICIARY
- Instituto Politecnico De Viana De Castelo – IPVC (998454563) – BENEFICIARY
- Technische Universitaet Muenchen – TUM (999977463) – BENEFICIARY
- Instytut Biologii Doswiadczalnej Im. M. Nenckiego Polskiej Akademii Nauk – NENCKI (999489359) – BENEFICIARY
- Instituto Pedro Nunes Associacao Para A Inovacao E Desenvolvimento Em Ciencia E Tecnologia – IPN (999578502) – BENEFICIARY
- The European Society For Clinical Investigation – (896926603) – BENEFICIARY
- Mediagnost Gesellschaft Fur Forschung Und Herstellung Von Diagnostika Gmbh – MEDIAGNOST (955514312) – BENEFICIARY
- Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg – MLU (999871539) – BENEFICIARY
- Associacao Protectora Dos Diabeticos De Portugal – APDP (928326570) – BENEFICIARY
- AGDCENTRO Associacao De Ginastica Do Centro – (887885912) – BENEFICIARY
Financial support: European Commission, HORIZON Programme – 9.500.000€
Reference: 101080329
Duration: 04/2023 – 03/2028
Abstract: The aim of HealthyW8 is to advance the efficacy of current and future efforts and investments in obesity prevention initiatives across Europe. Initiatives on obesity prevention in policy and practice are often of marginal impact. HealthyW8 will address these shortcomings by iteratively developing, together with stakeholders, a digital-based healthy lifestyle recommender for evidence-based, tailored interventions and tools including a human digital twin to bridge the gap between science, societal actors and stakeholders (e.g. healthcare professionals, food industries, policymakers) and EU citizens.
Coordinator (PI): Torsten Bohn, Luxembourg Institute of Health
Participants (CIAS): Daniela Rodrigues; Helena Nogueira; Licínio Manco; Maria-Raquel G. Silva
Partner institutions:
- Luxembourg Institute Of Health – LIH (998331858) – COORDINATOR
- Luxembourg Institute Of Science And Technology – LIST (934320200) – BENEFICIARY
- NIUM – (898185954) – BENEFICIARY
- Deutsches Forschungszentrum Fur Kunstliche Intelligenz GMBH – DFKI (999607602) – BENEFICIARY
- VIRTECH OOD – (997240705) – BENEFICIARY
- Leibniz-Institut Fur Praventionsforschung Und Epidemiologie – BIPS GMBH – LEIBNIZ-Institut Fur Praventionsforschung Und Epidemiologie – BIPS GMBH (962342336) – BENEFICIARY
- SPORA SINERGIES SCCL – (986594082) – BENEFICIARY
- Centre De Recerca En Economia I Desenvolupament Agroalimentari-UPC-IRTA – CREDA (986340815) – BENEFICIARY
- Universita Degli Studi Di Scienze Gastronomiche – University Of Gastronomic Sciences (949553468) – BENEFICIARY
- Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche – CNR (999979500) – BENEFICIARY
- Centro De Investigacion Y Tecnologia Agroalimentaria De Aragon – CITA (997262142) – BENEFICIARY
- Universidade De Evora (998269196) – BENEFICIARY
- Fundacio Institut D’investigacio Sanitaria Illes Balears – Foundation Health Research Institute Of The Balearic Islands (974340460) – BENEFICIARY
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero- Universitaria Di Bologna – IRCCS AOU BO (991016991) – BENEFICIARY
- Danmarks Tekniske Universitet – Technical University Of Denmark DTU (999990655) – BENEFICIARY
- Universiteit Twente (999900833) – BENEFICIARY
- Universidade De Coimbra (997826391) – BENEFICIARY
- Regional Cluster North-East – (935248296) – BENEFICIARY
- Technische Universiteit Eindhoven – TU/e (999977269) – BENEFICIARY
- MEDEA SRL – (951976140) – BENEFICIARY
- Asociatia Euro Atlantic Diplomacy Society – (890633243) – BENEFICIARY
- Stichting European Nutrition For Health Alliance – European Nutrition For Health Alliance (883383269) – BENEFICIARY
- KNEIA SL – (936881582) – BENEFICIARY
- Europese Federatie Van Verenigingen Van Dietisten – The European Federation Of The Associations Of Dietitians EFAD (947201412) – BENEFICIARY
Financial support: European Commission, HORIZON Programme – 10.000.000€
Reference: 101080645
Duration: 2023-2027
Abstract: The core mission of NeoProModels Project is to research evolutionary cultural patterns within the context of the Neolithic process throughout the South of the Iberian Peninsula. The main goal is to tackle several major questions about continuities and discontinuities over space and time focusing on population thinking and the notion of cultural transmission. Evolutionary archaeology has become a powerful theoretical tool to gain knowledge on human behaviour. It can help us to formulate precise contextual explanatory models for one of the most important phenomena in human history: the origin and expansion of the farming way of life. This project will place the emphasis on identifying histories of cultural transmission within long-term dynamics of cultural change (ca. 5600-4000 cal BC). The project focuses on the Andalusian region within the wider sphere of the western-most regions of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic façade of the Southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. It will address historical questions related to the processes of Neolithisation in the different contexts of human populations.
Coordinator: Daniel García Rivero (University of Seville, and CIAS)
Participants: Cláudia Umbelino (CIAS)
Financial support: Ministry of Science and Innovation, Government of Spain
Reference: PID2022-137946NB-I00
