Description du sujet de thèse

Northwestern Mesoamerica is an ecological transition zone between the humid regions of the south, where agriculture originated, and the arid deserts of northern Mexico. Long perceived as a specific territory of nomadic hunter-gatherers, this region bears witness to major fluctuations in settlement marked by phases of expansion and ebb of Mesoamerican agrarian populations. However, the causes (climatic, social, etc.) of these population movements remain debated.
The PhD will focus on the interdisciplinary study of funerary contexts from ancient sedentary settlements in the Bajío region (Guanajuato, Mexico). The main objective is to study the adaptation of these populations to semi-arid environmental conditions, their social organization and their cultural interactions, through the analysis of mortuary evidence and several indicators related to health and diet.
Three complementary lines of study will be developed:
(1) a detailed analysis of mortuary contexts to define the socio-cultural identity of buried individuals, combining an archaeological (stratigraphic and spatial) and archaeothanatological approach;
(2) a bio-anthropological approach aimed at defining the biological identity of the deceased, and assessing their living conditions and state of health;
(3) a bio-geochemical approach (carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotopes), which will enable us to assess differences in the subjects' diets, as well as their mobility over the course of their lives.
The results of these three approaches will be cross-referenced and compared to identify possible intra- and inter-site differentiations. The thesis is based on the study of osteological collections from eight sites excavated as part of three archaeological projects: Barajas, Tres Mezquites and Zaragoza. The corpus comprises some one hundred individuals dating from the 5th to the 10th century, thus ensuring regional and chronological coherence conducive to comparisons.

Contexte de travail

The PhD student (M/F) will be registered with ED 112 (Ecole doctorale d'archéologie) of Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and hosted at UMR 8096 ArchAm under the scientific direction of Grégory Pereira (UMR 8096, ArchAm) and co-direction of G. Granier (UMR 7268, ADES); he or she will also benefit from the scientific supervision of Aurélie Manin (UMR 8096) and Elise Dufour (UMR 7209, BioArch). The PhD contract is part of the “International Action” program of the Mission pour les Initiatives Transverses et Interdisciplinaires (MITI), and has as its partner the Centre d'Etudes Mexicaines et CentreAmericaines (CEMCA-UMIFRE 16 MEAE-CNRS) in Mexico City, where the fieldwork will take place.

Contraintes et risques

The study of osteological and archaeological collections, all of which are held in Mexico (INAH, CEMCA), will require stays of several months on site (French host organization: CEMCA, UMIFRE 16 - UAR 3337). Part of the analyses will be carried out at MNHN's Service de Spectrométrie de Masse Isotopique (SSMIM) in Paris, and at the Bordeaux Proteome Platform (CBMN).

Informations complémentaires

The candidate must have a Master's degree and training in archaeology, biological anthropology and archaeothanatology:
- The position requires a solid knowledge of human osteology and taphonomic analysis of funerary contexts.
- Advanced skills in archaeothanatology (restitution of funerary features, interpretation of practices, socio-cultural perspective) are essential.
- Ability to carry out a complete biological study of human remains.
- Knowledge of databases and geographic information systems is desirable.
- Language skills (Spanish, English) are expected, as are good interpersonal skills and the ability to adapt to other cultural contexts (experience abroad).
- Good oral and written communication skills are expected, as well as the ability to work in a team and a great motivation to develop new skills (particularly in isotopic bio-geochemistry).
- Knowledge of Mesoamerican archaeology is also expected.

Selection will take place in two stages: a first selection will be made on the basis of the candidate's application file, followed by an interview in early July for the successful candidates (M/F). Applications must include the following documents:
- detailed CV
- 1 to 2 pages cover letter.