Abstract
What if we could reconstruct the lives of hunter-gatherers from 55,000 to 14,000 years ago with unprecedented precision? STRONG addresses this challenge by combining radiocarbon (¹⁴C) dating, tree-ring analysis, isotopic techniques and archaeological materials, in an innovative way to create a high-resolution chronology of human dispersal, innovation, and adaptation in Europe during period of strong climatic fluctuations. Current chronological frameworks lack the resolution needed to capture fine-grained cultural and climatic connections, limiting our understanding of human responses to environmental changes. STRONG directly addresses these challenges by integrating stable oxygen-18 (δ¹⁸O) isotope analysis of subfossil trees with high-resolution radiocarbon dating and cosmogenic beryllium-10 (¹ºBe) radionuclides to refine the calibration curve with unmatched precision. This approach links climatic signals across regions, addressing gaps in the archaeological record. Targeting key archaeological sites in the Balkans and Spain, critical refuge and corridor for genetic and cultural exchange, STRONG will enhance calibration accuracy, enabling globally relevant datasets that position key events within more exact timeframes. Moreover, these advancements will identify solar activity events, abrupt climate changes, and their impacts on human populations. The project involves fieldwork in Portugal and Serbia to find more glacial trees, the study of the existing collection of glacial conifers, and the cutting-edge δ¹⁸O isotopic analyses from distinctive collection of subfossil tree rings with high-resolution ¹⁴C and ¹ºBe data. Combining cutting-edge methods with interdisciplinary collaboration, STRONG will transform how we date and interpret key periods in human prehistory, providing tools and insights for researchers worldwide.
Dettagli del progetto
Responsabile scientifico: Sahra Talamo
Strutture Unibo coinvolte:
Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician"
Coordinatore:
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna(Italy)
Contributo totale di progetto: Euro (EUR) 1.599.041,49
Durata del progetto in mesi: 60
Data di inizio
31/05/2026
Data di fine:
30/05/2031
