Jill Thompson

Jill Thompson is an Assistant Professor in the School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences at the University of Bradford. Her work focuses on environmental archaeology and archaeobotany, specializing in plant remains from archaeological sites across Britain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Korea, Laos, and Malaysia. She holds a PhD from the Australian National University (completed 1992) and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Otago (1992–94).

Her research examines plant use in prehistoric societies, including vegetation change, food resources, and the ecological impact of human activities like charcoal production for iron smelting. Recent projects include analyzing food supplies in Pompeii, woodland management through charcoal ring patterns, and investigations of Niah Cave wood remains in Malaysia. Supported by grants from the Nuffield Foundation, British Academy, and AHRC, her work also involves experimental studies on fungal diseases in charred cereal remains.

Jill contributes to interdisciplinary projects such as the Middle Mekong Archaeological Project, which explores Holocene land-use changes in Southeast Asia, and trains archaeologists from Laos and Thailand in archaeobotanical methods. She has been recognized through a teaching award nomination and collaborates with institutions like UNESCO, the University of Kelaniya, and the Anglo-American Project in Pompeii.