Island research

A Cardiff researcher will be sharing her expertise in zooarchaeology with students in the Philippines to help enhance the quality of higher education in the country.

Jacqui Mulville of the School of History, Archaeology and Religion will visit the University of the Philippines (UPI) in Manila as part of the Erasmus Mundi scholar programme.

A specialist in insular archaeology, Mulville is focused on understanding how humans and animals have colonised and co-existed on smaller islands from prehistory onwards. Her research spans islands the length of Britain, and she has worked on projects from modelling sea level change to mummification, whaling to the introduction of red deer.

As part of her visiting scholarship, Mulville will run a series of research seminars for taught postgraduate students of archaeology and will give a public lecture on her insular research. The aim of the Erasmus programme is to enhance the quality of higher education and promote dialogue and understanding between people and cultures through mobility and academic cooperation.

Speaking about her visit, Mulville said: "As an insular archaeologist I am always looking for opportunities to visit new islands. This initiative arose from links I developed with a Philippine-based researcher as a result of our joint interest in insular translocations - that is the deliberate introduction of animals to islands.

"Since visiting the Philippines in 2008 I have been keen to return and explore more of this fascinating and diverse country. I am delighted to be able to contribute to the development of post-graduate culture at the UPI."

During her time in the Philippines, Mulville will also undertake a series of research trips to the Banaue Rice Terraces on the main island of Luzon and the Batanes islands, which lie 160 km north Luzon.

"My work includes investigations of a number of unusual human and animal burials, identified as possible mummies," added Mulville. "I hope to continue my research by visiting the Kabayan, or Ibaloi, cave mummies during my trip."

Mulville will be in the Philippines from 5-9 December 2011. People can follow her trip via her research group’s Facebook page here.

Related links

School of History, Archaeology and Religion