Mareike Stahlschmidt

Mareike Stahlschmidt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology at the Faculty of Life Sciences. Her research focuses on Pleistocene and Holocene archaeological contexts, with a strong emphasis on micromorphology, sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA), and human-environment interactions. Active since 2015, she leads the MicroStratDNA project (2022–2027), investigating Paleolithic population dynamics through microstratified paleogenomic analysis. Her work integrates archaeological, geochemical, and genetic methodologies to address questions about early human migration, subsistence strategies, and technological innovation.

Key research themes include the analysis of archaeological sediments, bone taphonomy, and the application of ancient DNA to reconstruct past environments and human behavior. Collaborations span institutions globally, with recent studies in South Africa, Germany, and the Levant. Stahlschmidt has delivered talks on environmental DNA in archaeology and the role of fire in human evolution.

Publications emphasize methodological advancements in DNA recovery, interpretations of stone age sites, and interdisciplinary approaches to prehistoric ecology. Her contributions highlight the transformative potential of sedimentary DNA in rewriting narratives of human prehistory.