Umberto Albarella

Professor Umberto Albarella is a Chair in Zooarchaeology at the University of Sheffield's School of Biosciences. He specializes in the study of animal bones from archaeological sites, focusing on human-animal relationships. Currently on research leave via a Leverhulme Major Research Fellowship, he is writing a book titled 'A History of Britain in 50 Animals.'

His career includes roles at English Heritage, the Universities of Birmingham, Durham, and Sheffield. He has led projects in Italy, Armenia, Greece, and beyond. Research interests include animal domestication, ethnoarchaeology, and the integration of archaeological disciplines with social justice advocacy.

Albarella supervises PhD students exploring topics like medieval husbandry, Roman zooarchaeology, and animal exploitation in Beirut. He serves on editorial boards for journals like Medieval Archaeology and Environmental Archaeology. His teaching includes courses on archaeozoology and the history of human-animal relationships.

Key contributions include co-editing volumes on pig domestication, Roman zooarchaeology, and the archaeology of human-bird interactions. His work bridges scientific analysis with ethical engagement in archaeology.