Alastair Key

Dr. Alastair Key serves as Director of Studies in Archaeology and Official Fellow in Archaeology at Queens' College, University of Cambridge. His research bridges Paleolithic archaeology, stone tool technology, and hominin behavioral evolution through experimental and computational approaches.

• Director of Studies and Official Fellow at Queens' College, Cambridge
• Specializes in Paleolithic stone tool analysis, Acheulean technology, and hominin adaptation
• Conducts experimental archaeology and computational modelling to assess tool functionality

Key's research focuses on Acheulean handaxe production, lithic microwear patterns, and ergonomic constraints in prehistoric tool use. He has extensively published on topics including glacial-stage hominin occupations, Oldowan toolmakers, and machine learning applications to archaeological analysis.

His recent publications (2025-2023) span diverse subfields: Acheulean chronology, hominin tool use biomechanics, experimental projectile testing, and computational morphometric methods. The work often integrates multidisciplinary datasets and open-source analytical tools to address fundamental questions about human technological evolution.

Current research directions include stone tool sharpness quantification, handaxe social signaling potential, and cross-species tool use comparisons through primate studies.