PhD student (M/F) Economic and Monetary History of al-Andalus in the 11th century

Job Description

Thesis Subject

The doctoral contract forms part of the ANR ALMACIR programme (Al-Andalus – Maghreb. Circulation of gold and silver for coinage in the Medieval Islamic West (8th–13th centuries); 2026–2029), the aim of which is to contribute to identify the sources of precious metals used in medieval islamic coinage. Indeed, whilst written sources attest to the wealth of the sub-Saharan regions from which the gold originated; the extent of its use remains difficult to estimate. Similarly, the exploitation of silver mines in al-Andalus and the Maghreb is historically and archaeologically documented, but the use of this production in the coinage of the Islamic West has, to date, not been quantified. The programme is based on LA-ICP-MS analyses (laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry). The results reveal the composition of the alloys used in coinage and enable the detection of impurities, some of which are 'trace elements' and provide clues as to the origin of the metals.
The proposed research topic for the PhD focuses specifically on the coinage of the kingdoms (taifas) that emerged in al-Andalus in the 11th century, following the decline of the Umayyad caliphs' power, and which persisted until the Almoravid conquests. The PhD student will therefore be required to catalogue the numismatic sources and then carry out basic analyses of the selected coins using a method (LA-ICP-MS) in which he / she will receive training. The scientific analysis, which will draw on numismatic, archaeometric, historical and archaeological data, will aim to shed light on the provenance of the gold and silver used by the various taifas of al-Andalus for their coinage. The PhD is therefore expected to shed light on the relations these principalities maintained with one another and with the rest of the Mediterranean Islamic world, in particular with the Maghreb.

Your Work Environment

The PhD student will work on a daily basis at the IRAMAT (Institute for Research on Archaeomaterials, UMR 7065) site in Orléans (Centre Ernest Babelon).
He / she will have access to the LA-ICP-MS room for carrying out elemental analyses, as well as to the equipment required for taking very high-definition photographs. He / she will also be required to travel to Paris and the Département des monnaies, médailles et antiques at the Bibliothèque nationale de France, with which IRAMAT has an agreement, or other museums, in France or abroad, for the development of their corpus. He / she will also take part in a number of national and international scientific events.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

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