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The Prehistory of the Western Mediterranean research group has a long history of work that is nourished by numerous field activities and competitive research projects and includes researchers covering the study of the whole of Prehistory (Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Bronze Age).

The work of the group focuses on research into the cultural, economic and palaeoenvironmental processes of the ancient and recent prehistory of the western Mediterranean area, with special attention to the central Iberian Mediterranean region, through the results obtained in the archaeological fieldwork and the analysis of materials of biotic and abiotic origin. Preferential areas of research are those related to the procurement and management of lithic, bone, ceramic and metallurgical resources, the supply and circulation of raw materials, lithic, ceramic and bone production, the procurement and processing of food of animal and plant origin, palaeoenvironmental interpretation and the symbolic world of the Iberian Mediterranean. Sites of special relevance where members of the group have carried out archaeological excavations or the systematic study of materials are the Cova Negra in Xàtiva, el Abrigo de Quebrada in Chelva, la Cueva de Antón de Mula, la Cova del Parpalló in Gandia, la Cueva de Nerja, la Cova del Volcán del Faro de Cullera, la Cova de les Cendres in Teulada/Moraira, los Abrigos de Doña Martina y de la Boja de Mula, La Cova de Santa Maira in Castell de Castells, el Abric de la Falguera in Alcoi, la Cueva de la Cocina in Dos Aguas, el Abric de la Pastora in Alcoi, la Vital de Gandia, el Mas d'Is de Penàguila y la Mola de Agres. As well as the cave complexes of la Cova de les Meravelles in Gandia (Palaeolithic), los Abrics de la Sarga in Alcoi, la Cova dels Cavalls in Tirig, el Abrics de la Saltadora de Coves de Vinromà, el Abric del Mas de Sant Josep in Tírig, el Abric de Centelles in Albocassèr, El Abric de las Cañas in Millares and el Abric de Vicent in Millares y el Abric de la Xivàna in Alfarb (with Arte Levantino).

The lines of research currently being carried out are grouped into two main sections: Processes of Change in Prehistory and Bioarchaeology.

The main projects that have underpinned this research date back to 1987, and include:

  • 2 projects of the PROMETEO programme of the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO 2008/165 Y PROMETEOII/2013/016)
  • 5 International Projects (CFDA, 47.075, NSF10-612, NFS:BCS-0410269, MPOCA Leakey Foundation 20011-12, ANR CULT SHS3, 8281-07. : National Geographic Society.)
  • 16 National Plan projects (HAR2012-33111, HAR2011-24878, HAR-2009-14360-C03-01, HAR2008-04273-E/HIST, FFI2008-01200, HUM2005-06498-C02-01/HIST, HUM2005-05732-C02-02/HIST, PS 91 0129, PB 96 0781, BHA-2001-2888, 1FD97-1207-C02-01, HUM-2004-05643, PB98-1507-C02-0, PB95-1087, PB87-0722-C02-01)
  • 4 of a regional nature (GV04B-198, UV-0423 (PREHISTORIA), GRUPOS03/103, GV04B-088).

As a result of its research and training activities, the group has directed a total of 29 doctoral theses and numerous Master's, Bachelor's and Bachelor's degree theses to date.