Eva María Montes Moya

Eva María Montes Moya is a researcher at the University Institute for Research in Iberian Archaeology, University of Jaén, specializing in archaeobotany with a focus on ancient food systems and the origins of olive cultivation in Andalusia during the Roman period.

Education:

• Degree in Humanities, University of Jaén
• PhD, University of Jaén

Research Interests: Her work centers on carpology (seed/fruit analysis) to reconstruct past agricultural practices, subsistence strategies, and crop domestication. Current research challenges Phoenician origins of olive cultivation by examining Roman-era evidence in Upper Guadalquivir through carbonized olive pit analysis, investigating historical irrigation techniques, fertilizer use, and ancient trade networks related to olive oil production.

Scientific Awards:

• Leonardo Fellowship 2024 for project "Who planted the olive trees? Archaeobotany of the origins of olive growing in the Upper Guadalquivir"

Grants and Projects: The Leonardo Fellowship supports her innovative study of archaeological olive pits from Andalusian sites to determine cultivation origins, varieties, and growing conditions during the Roman-Phoenician transition period, utilizing carbonized remains preserved as fuel for historical agricultural reconstruction.

Research Unit: She develops her research line within the University Institute for Research in Iberian Archaeology, conducting international collaborations with institutions including Museu d'arqueologia de Catalunya, University of Leiden, CNRS Montpellier, Royal Botanic Garden Kew, and University of Cagliari Botanical Garden.