Francesco Fontani

Postdoctoral research fellow in Paleogenetics under the ERC Sinergy Project LAST NEANDERTHALS (PI Prof. Stefano Benazzi).

My research project focuses on studying of ancient DNA from biological (human and faunal bones, teeth, and coprolites) and paleo-environmental (soils and sediments) sources. My researches aim at  reconstructing the genetic profiles of past human population, to investigate the complex interplay in the past between Homo species, animals and their enviroment, with a specific focus on the transitional period between the Middle and Late Paleolithic in Eurasia. My research interests also involve the study of extinct animal species, the taxonomic profiling of paleosediments, and the development and application of integrated methodologies for archaeogenetic investigation.

As an archaeologist, I am involved in archaeological expeditions in Italy (Riparo del Broion, Vicenza; Grotta di Uluzzo C, Lecce; Grotta della Monaca, Cosenza), Jordan (Jebel al-Mutawwaq) and Cyprus (Erimi Laonin tou Porakou).

Supervisor: Prof. Stefano Benazzi