Andre Carlo Colonese

Andre Carlo Colonese serves as Director of Research in the Department of Prehistory at the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA) of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), where he leads the EarlyFoods research group (SGR-2011) and serves as Principal Investigator for multiple major research projects including the ERC-Consolidator project TRADITION and the Societal Challenge OCEANS of the Maria de Maeztu Unit of Excellence. He is actively accepting PhD students and maintains a robust research program with international collaborations spanning Europe, South America, and Africa.

His educational background includes:

• PhD from the University of Siena (2002-2006, awarded June 1, 2006)
• Undergraduate degree (1997-2002, awarded July 1, 2002)

Colonese's research integrates zooarchaeology, light stable isotopes (organic and inorganic), and organic residue analysis to reconstruct ecological and dietary information about past societies. His work focuses on the emergence of food production systems and the role of coastal and ocean environments in early societies across South America and southern Europe, with particular emphasis on Brazil, Peru, Chile, and Mediterranean coastal regions. His methodological approach combines laboratory analysis with field archaeology to address questions about human adaptation, resource use, and environmental change throughout the Holocene period.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong interdisciplinary focus, applying advanced scientific techniques to archaeological questions about ancient foodways, coastal adaptations, and human-environment interactions. The research shows increasing integration of traditional knowledge systems with scientific data to address complex questions about long-term environmental change and sustainability, reflecting his commitment to addressing contemporary challenges through archaeological perspectives.

Notable recognitions include:

• ERC Consolidator Grant for the TRADITION project
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research Fellowship
• AHRC Postdoctoral Research Associate position
• SGR-2011 funding for the EarlyFoods research group
• Maria de Maeztu Unit of Excellence accreditation

Colonese supervises a diverse research team including PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and technicians funded through competitive grants including ERC-CoG, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, FPI, Maria de Zambrano, and Beatriu de Pinos fellowships. His current grant portfolio includes multiple active projects with the European Commission, Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, and other international funding bodies, with combined funding supporting research through 2027.

He directs the EarlyFoods research group, which specializes in analyzing ancient food production systems with expertise in Amazonian, Llanos, and Pre-Columbian societies. The group employs a multidisciplinary methodology integrating archaeological evidence with geochemical and ecological analyses to investigate human adaptations to coastal and inland environments throughout the Holocene.