Albert Cristóbal, Rosa María
ICREA Research Professor at Universitat de Barcelona (UB).
Humanities
Short biography
I obtained a PhD in Archaeology from the U. of Barcelona in 1999 after 3 years at the Weizmann Inst of Science. I pioneered in applying quantitative and morphological phytolith analyses to Prehistoric sites to identify fuel for human fires and plant collecting strategies. In 2005 I received the Blecua Award (UB). My research focuses on reconstructing the vegetation from different sites such as Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania), applying a combined study of modern soils and plants. In 2011 I created PhytCore, the most extensive phytolith database to date. I have directed more than 20 research projects and written more than 100 papers. From 2005-2013 I founded and directed GEPEG recognized as Quality Research Group by Catalan Government. At present, I am responsible for the "Paleoenvironmental and paleovegetation" research area within ERAAUB and I participate, among others, in a European funded Project "Terrace" to study the use cultivated plants.
Research interests
I am an archaeologist working on palaeovegetation and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction, through the study of vegetal microremains, in order to better understand the relationship between environment, humans and use of plants. My research focuses mostly on: i) The study of Fire in Prehistory, with special emphassis on Middle and Upper Palaeolithic. ii) Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction during African Human Evolution. iii) Agriculture and domestication practices in the Levant. iv) Plant uses and landscapes, including the study of prehistoric Terraces. iv) Anthropogenic impact on the environment. v) Development of digital platforms to exchange databases. For this I developed PhytCore (www.phytcore.org), the most extensive database integrating different research centers and universities databases. I amb also a member of the International Committee for Phytolith Nomenclature who recently published the new International Code for Phytolith Nomenclature ICPN 2.0.