Project description
How did early humans create and share technology?
Understanding the technological diversity of Acheulean bifacial tools is fundamental for reconstructing early hominin cognitive and cultural evolution, yet how cleaver technology varied across regions remains poorly understood. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the CleavTech project aims to compare ancient artefacts from India, the Levant, and Western Europe. It will use 3D geometric morphometrics and experimental use-wear analysis to explore whether regional differences stemmed from cultural exchange or local innovation. The findings will help to solve the puzzle of how hominin societies adapted and flourished across the vast Pleistocene landscapes.
Objective
Understanding the technological diversity of Acheulean artefacts, especially bifacial tools, is crucial for comprehending the cognitive and cultural evolution in early hominin populations. Yet significant gaps remain in understanding how cleaver technology varied regionally and spread across different Pleistocene landscapes. This project addresses significant gaps by conducting the first large-scale comparative analysis of cleavers from three crucial ‘Out of Africa’ corridors: India’s central Narmada Valley, the Levant (Gesher Benot Ya'aqov), and Western Europe (La Noira, Atapuerca, Menez-Dregan). The research will: 1) quantify morpho-technological variability using 3D geometric morphometrics, 2) test functional efficiency and tool performance through experimental use-wear analysis, and 3) evaluate whether observed differences stem from cultural transmission or local innovation. Hosted by the Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social, Spain, and with a secondment at the Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana, Spain, the project employs advanced morphometric and microscopic techniques. The expected results will include a more sophisticated understanding of regional variations in Acheulean cleaver techniques and their broader implications for early hominin adaptation and cultural transmission. This project will also enhance the researcher's expertise in Palaeolithic archaeology, digital morphometrics, microscopy, and functional studies. It will foster collaboration among leading research centres in Spain, the Levant, and India. The resulting scientific network will contribute to the researcher's career development, establishing connections with key institutions and expanding knowledge in cutting-edge analytical methods. Beyond individual growth, this project will benefit the field of prehistory as a whole by posing novel questions and providing fresh insights into the development of early technologies.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
43007 Tarragona
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.