Stuck in the Past

This month #FinallyFriday travels all the way back into the deep past, as we discuss the trials and joys of experimenting with Neanderthal glue. We discuss how to overcome the limitations of working without specialised laboratory equipment, how to deal with a lack of archaeological evidence, and why glue is such a sticky subject! Your host is Matilda Siebrecht.

Phoebe is currently working as a Terrestrial Geophysics Technician for Wessex Archaeology in the UK, but she is also an experimental archaeologist whose research focuses on ancient sewing technologies. Her research looked at the potential use of glue in Neanderthal clothing manufacture, and she has recently been awarded the EXARC grant for her new research project investigating shoemaking technology. Phoebe's EXARC profile.

Paul is a post-doctoral researcher at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. His work focusses on the investigation of ancient adhesives from Neanderthal and early human archaeological contexts, specifically looking at the material properties of different glue recipes. He is also a talented woodworker, and brings his love and knowledge of crafting to his experimental work.