![Julia Best](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/2021?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Julia Best
(she/her)
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Julia Best
Senior Lecturer in Archaeology, Director of Impact and Engagement
Overview
I am a specialist in bioarchaeology, particularly zooarchaeology. My work has spanned a wide range of periods and locations, with a focus on Neolithic and Medieval archaeology. My primary research interest is using cutting-edge analytical techniques to explore ancient animal-human interactions. Through this we can reconstruct past societies, lifeways, and economies through multi-disciplinary approaches.
Specific themes I’m interested in include:
- Avian zooarchaeology
- British zooarchaeology
- Medieval economy and craft
- Scottish island environment and resource use
- Consuming prehistory: feeding Stonehenge
- Outreach and engagement
- Proteomics
- Eggshell analysis
- Domestications and extinctions
- Wild resource exploitation
- Sheep and wool
Publication
2025
- Hewson, T. and Best, J. 2025. Une évaluation du potentiel des interruptions de croissance des coquilles des patelles (Patella vulgata) pour estimer la saison des dépôts archéologiques, en utilisant des patelles de l’âge du Fer du Bornais, Western Isles, Écosse.. In: Dupont, C., Baudry, A. and Daire, M. eds. Archaeology Of Coastal Settlements / Archéologie Des Peuplements Littoraux. Sidestone
- Best, J. and Cartledge, J. 2025. The birds. In: Pearson, M. P. et al. eds. Cladh Hallan Roundhouses and the Dead in the Hebridean Bronze Age and Iron Age Part 2 Material Culture, Subsistence, Skeletons and Synthesis. Sheffield Environmental and Archaeological Research Campaign in the Hebrides Oxford: Oxbow
2022
- Peters, J. et al. 2022. The biocultural origins and dispersal of domestic chickens. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 119(24), article number: e2121978119. (10.1073/pnas.2121978119)
- Best, J. et al. 2022. Redefining the timing and circumstances of the chicken's introduction to Europe and north-west Africa. Antiquity 96(388), pp. 868-882. (10.15184/aqy.2021.90)
- Peto, J., Mulville, J. and Best, J. 2022. Canid Caves: the fauna of Fishmonger's Swallet. Proceedings of the University of Bristol Spelaeological Society 29(1), pp. 87-115.
2021
- Doherty, S. P. et al. 2021. Estimating the age of domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticusL. 1758) cockerels through spur development. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 31(5), pp. 770-781. (10.1002/oa.2988)
- Best, J., Demarchi, B. and Presslee, S. 2021. The avian remains. In: Hodder, I. ed. Peopling the Landscape of Çatalhöyük: Reports from the 2009-2017 Seasons. British Institute at Ankara Monograph 53, pp. 251-262.
2020
- Demarchi, B., Presslee, S., Sakalauskaite, J., Fischer, R. and Best, J. 2020. The role of birds at Çatalhöyük revealed by the analysis of eggshell. Quaternary International 543, pp. 50-60. (10.1016/j.quaint.2020.02.009)
- Best, J. 2020. Bird bone. In: Niall, S. ed. A Norse Settlement in the Outer Hebrides: Excavations on mounds 2 and 2A, Bornais, South Uist. Oxford: Oxbow, pp. 569-573.
2019
- Thomas, J. E. et al. 2019. Demographic reconstruction from ancient DNA supports rapid extinction of the great auk. eLife 8, article number: e47509. (10.7554/eLife.47509)
- Sichert, B. M., Rentzel, P., Demarchi, B., Best, J., Negri, A. and Deschler-Erb, S. 2019. Incubated eggs in a Roman burial? A preliminary investigation on how to distinguish between the effects of incubation and taphonomy on avian eggshell from archaeological sites. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 26, article number: 101845. (10.1016/j.jasrep.2019.05.010)
- Mulville, J., Best, J. and Powell, A. 2019. The animal bone from Llangorse Crannog (The animal and human bone). In: Lane, A. and Redknap, M. eds. Llangorse Crannog: the excavation of an early medieval royal site in the Kingdom of Brycheiniog.. Oxbow Books., pp. 174-190.
2018
- Best, J. and Cartledge, J. ?. 2018. The faunal remains - the birds. In: Pearson, M. P. et al. eds. Cille Pheadair: A Norse Farmstead and Pictish Burial Cairn in South Uist., Vol. 7. Oxford: Oxbow, pp. 466-513.
- Maltby, M., Allen, M., Best, J., Fothergill, B. T. and Demarchi, B. 2018. Counting Roman chickens: Multidisciplinary approaches to human-chicken interactions in Roman Britain. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 19, pp. 1003-1015. (10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.09.013)
- Best, J. and Mulville, J. 2018. Birds in death: avian archaeology and the mortuary record in the Scottish Islands. In: Livarda, A., Madgwick, R. and Riera Mora, S. eds. The Bioarchaeology of Ritual and Religion. Oxford: Oxbow, pp. 179-192., (10.2307/j.ctvh1dpkx.19)
2017
- Presslee, S. et al. 2017. The identification of archaeological eggshell using peptide markers. Science and Technology of Archaeological Research 3(1), pp. 89-99. (10.1080/20548923.2018.1424300)
- Fothergill, B., Best, J., Foster, A. and Demarchi, B. 2017. Hens, health and husbandry: integrated approaches to past poultry-keeping in England. Open Quaternary 3(5), pp. 1-25. (10.5334/oq.34)
- George, D., Bizzarri, C., Bianco, P., Trentacoste, A., Whitlam, J. and Best, J. 2017. Recent research in Cavità 254 (Orvieto, Italy). Etruscan Studies 20(1), pp. 58-76. (10.1515/etst-2017-0002)
- Colonese, A. C. et al. 2017. The identification of poultry processing in archaeological ceramic vessels using in-situ isotope references for organic residue analysis. Journal of Archaeological Science 78, pp. 179-192. (10.1016/j.jas.2016.12.006)
- Jonuks, T., Oras, E., Best, J., Demarchi, B., Mänd, R., Presslee, S. and Vahur, S. 2017. Multi-method analysis of avian eggs as grave goods: revealing symbolism in conversion period burials at Kukruse, NE Estonia. Environmental Archaeology 23(2), pp. 109-122. (10.1080/14614103.2016.1263374)
2016
- Best, J., Feider, M. and Pitt, J. 2016. Introducing chickens - arrival, uptake and use in prehistoric Britain. PAST: The Prehistoric Society 84, pp. 1-3.
- Best, J. and Mulville, J. 2016. Birds from the water: Reconstructing avian resource use and contribution to diet in prehistoric Scottish Island environments. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 6, pp. 654-664. (10.1016/j.jasrep.2015.11.024)
2015
- Peters, J. et al. 2015. Questioning new answers regarding Holocene chicken domestication in China. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 112(19) (10.1073/pnas.1503579112)
2014
- Best, J. and Mulville, J. 2014. A bird in the hand: Data collation and novel analysis of avian remains from South Uist, Outer Hebrides. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 24(3), pp. 384-396. (10.1002/oa.2381)
2013
- Best, J. 2013. Living in liminality: an osteoarchaeological investigation into the use of avian resources in North Atlantic Island environments. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
- Best, J. and Mulville, J. 2013. Between the sea and sky: the archaeology of avian resource exploitation in Scottish island environments.. In: Daire, M. et al. eds. Ancient Maritime Communities and the Relationship between People and Environment along the European Atlantic Coasts / Anciens peuplements littoraux et relations Home/Milieu sur les côtes de l'Europe Atlantique. Proceedings of the HOMER 2011 Conference, Va. International Series 2570 Oxford: British Archaeological Reports, pp. 417-426.
2010
- Best, J. and Mulville, J. 2010. The fowling economies of the Shiant Isles, Outer Hebrides: resource exploitation in a marginal environment. Presented at: 6th ICAZ Bird Working Group Meeting, Groningen, Netherlands, 23- 27 August 2008 Presented at Prummel, W., Zeiler, J. T. and Brinkhuizen, D. C. eds.Birds in Archaeology. Proceedings of the 6th Meeting of the ICAZ Bird Working Group in Groningen (23.8 - 27.8.2008). Groningen Archaeological Studies Vol. 12. Eelde / Groningen: Barkhuis / Groningen University Library pp. 87-96.
Adrannau llyfrau
- Hewson, T. and Best, J. 2025. Une évaluation du potentiel des interruptions de croissance des coquilles des patelles (Patella vulgata) pour estimer la saison des dépôts archéologiques, en utilisant des patelles de l’âge du Fer du Bornais, Western Isles, Écosse.. In: Dupont, C., Baudry, A. and Daire, M. eds. Archaeology Of Coastal Settlements / Archéologie Des Peuplements Littoraux. Sidestone
- Best, J. and Cartledge, J. 2025. The birds. In: Pearson, M. P. et al. eds. Cladh Hallan Roundhouses and the Dead in the Hebridean Bronze Age and Iron Age Part 2 Material Culture, Subsistence, Skeletons and Synthesis. Sheffield Environmental and Archaeological Research Campaign in the Hebrides Oxford: Oxbow
- Best, J., Demarchi, B. and Presslee, S. 2021. The avian remains. In: Hodder, I. ed. Peopling the Landscape of Çatalhöyük: Reports from the 2009-2017 Seasons. British Institute at Ankara Monograph 53, pp. 251-262.
- Best, J. 2020. Bird bone. In: Niall, S. ed. A Norse Settlement in the Outer Hebrides: Excavations on mounds 2 and 2A, Bornais, South Uist. Oxford: Oxbow, pp. 569-573.
- Mulville, J., Best, J. and Powell, A. 2019. The animal bone from Llangorse Crannog (The animal and human bone). In: Lane, A. and Redknap, M. eds. Llangorse Crannog: the excavation of an early medieval royal site in the Kingdom of Brycheiniog.. Oxbow Books., pp. 174-190.
- Best, J. and Cartledge, J. ?. 2018. The faunal remains - the birds. In: Pearson, M. P. et al. eds. Cille Pheadair: A Norse Farmstead and Pictish Burial Cairn in South Uist., Vol. 7. Oxford: Oxbow, pp. 466-513.
- Best, J. and Mulville, J. 2018. Birds in death: avian archaeology and the mortuary record in the Scottish Islands. In: Livarda, A., Madgwick, R. and Riera Mora, S. eds. The Bioarchaeology of Ritual and Religion. Oxford: Oxbow, pp. 179-192., (10.2307/j.ctvh1dpkx.19)
- Best, J. and Mulville, J. 2013. Between the sea and sky: the archaeology of avian resource exploitation in Scottish island environments.. In: Daire, M. et al. eds. Ancient Maritime Communities and the Relationship between People and Environment along the European Atlantic Coasts / Anciens peuplements littoraux et relations Home/Milieu sur les côtes de l'Europe Atlantique. Proceedings of the HOMER 2011 Conference, Va. International Series 2570 Oxford: British Archaeological Reports, pp. 417-426.
Cynadleddau
- Best, J. and Mulville, J. 2010. The fowling economies of the Shiant Isles, Outer Hebrides: resource exploitation in a marginal environment. Presented at: 6th ICAZ Bird Working Group Meeting, Groningen, Netherlands, 23- 27 August 2008 Presented at Prummel, W., Zeiler, J. T. and Brinkhuizen, D. C. eds.Birds in Archaeology. Proceedings of the 6th Meeting of the ICAZ Bird Working Group in Groningen (23.8 - 27.8.2008). Groningen Archaeological Studies Vol. 12. Eelde / Groningen: Barkhuis / Groningen University Library pp. 87-96.
Erthyglau
- Peters, J. et al. 2022. The biocultural origins and dispersal of domestic chickens. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 119(24), article number: e2121978119. (10.1073/pnas.2121978119)
- Best, J. et al. 2022. Redefining the timing and circumstances of the chicken's introduction to Europe and north-west Africa. Antiquity 96(388), pp. 868-882. (10.15184/aqy.2021.90)
- Peto, J., Mulville, J. and Best, J. 2022. Canid Caves: the fauna of Fishmonger's Swallet. Proceedings of the University of Bristol Spelaeological Society 29(1), pp. 87-115.
- Doherty, S. P. et al. 2021. Estimating the age of domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticusL. 1758) cockerels through spur development. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 31(5), pp. 770-781. (10.1002/oa.2988)
- Demarchi, B., Presslee, S., Sakalauskaite, J., Fischer, R. and Best, J. 2020. The role of birds at Çatalhöyük revealed by the analysis of eggshell. Quaternary International 543, pp. 50-60. (10.1016/j.quaint.2020.02.009)
- Thomas, J. E. et al. 2019. Demographic reconstruction from ancient DNA supports rapid extinction of the great auk. eLife 8, article number: e47509. (10.7554/eLife.47509)
- Sichert, B. M., Rentzel, P., Demarchi, B., Best, J., Negri, A. and Deschler-Erb, S. 2019. Incubated eggs in a Roman burial? A preliminary investigation on how to distinguish between the effects of incubation and taphonomy on avian eggshell from archaeological sites. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 26, article number: 101845. (10.1016/j.jasrep.2019.05.010)
- Maltby, M., Allen, M., Best, J., Fothergill, B. T. and Demarchi, B. 2018. Counting Roman chickens: Multidisciplinary approaches to human-chicken interactions in Roman Britain. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 19, pp. 1003-1015. (10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.09.013)
- Presslee, S. et al. 2017. The identification of archaeological eggshell using peptide markers. Science and Technology of Archaeological Research 3(1), pp. 89-99. (10.1080/20548923.2018.1424300)
- Fothergill, B., Best, J., Foster, A. and Demarchi, B. 2017. Hens, health and husbandry: integrated approaches to past poultry-keeping in England. Open Quaternary 3(5), pp. 1-25. (10.5334/oq.34)
- George, D., Bizzarri, C., Bianco, P., Trentacoste, A., Whitlam, J. and Best, J. 2017. Recent research in Cavità 254 (Orvieto, Italy). Etruscan Studies 20(1), pp. 58-76. (10.1515/etst-2017-0002)
- Colonese, A. C. et al. 2017. The identification of poultry processing in archaeological ceramic vessels using in-situ isotope references for organic residue analysis. Journal of Archaeological Science 78, pp. 179-192. (10.1016/j.jas.2016.12.006)
- Jonuks, T., Oras, E., Best, J., Demarchi, B., Mänd, R., Presslee, S. and Vahur, S. 2017. Multi-method analysis of avian eggs as grave goods: revealing symbolism in conversion period burials at Kukruse, NE Estonia. Environmental Archaeology 23(2), pp. 109-122. (10.1080/14614103.2016.1263374)
- Best, J., Feider, M. and Pitt, J. 2016. Introducing chickens - arrival, uptake and use in prehistoric Britain. PAST: The Prehistoric Society 84, pp. 1-3.
- Best, J. and Mulville, J. 2016. Birds from the water: Reconstructing avian resource use and contribution to diet in prehistoric Scottish Island environments. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 6, pp. 654-664. (10.1016/j.jasrep.2015.11.024)
- Peters, J. et al. 2015. Questioning new answers regarding Holocene chicken domestication in China. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 112(19) (10.1073/pnas.1503579112)
- Best, J. and Mulville, J. 2014. A bird in the hand: Data collation and novel analysis of avian remains from South Uist, Outer Hebrides. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 24(3), pp. 384-396. (10.1002/oa.2381)
Gosodiad
- Best, J. 2013. Living in liminality: an osteoarchaeological investigation into the use of avian resources in North Atlantic Island environments. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Research
I am a specialist in bioarchaeology, particularly zooarchaeology. My primary research interest is using cutting-edge analytical techniques to explore ancient animal-human interactions. Through this we can reconstruct past societies, lifeways, and economies using multi-disciplinary approaches. My work has spanned a wide range of periods and locations, with a focus on Neolithic and Medieval archaeology. My recent work has focused on integrating traditional zooarchaeological study with scientific analysis and material culture mapping to reconstruct past animal-human interactions in a variety of periods and locations.
I am an avian zooarchaeologist, who works on both wild and domestic birds. I have recently led the first systematic programme of direct dating for ancient chickens, with the intention of finding early chickens, and ruling out intrusive ones. Our work has shown that many of the claimed early chickens were not as ancient as proposed, and some of the chronologies were wrong by thousands of years. The new evidence indicates that chickens did not arrive in Europe until the first millennium BC, probably around 800 BC and were primarily regarded as exotica not food. Our programme of radiocarbon dating redefines the established chronology for the arrival and dispersal of chickens across Europe and north-west Africa and is the first time radiocarbon dating has been used on this scale to determine the significance of chickens in early societies. Our results show no evidence for chickens in Europe before the first millennium BC. This project can now act as a springboard for further direct dating work to fully investigate the antiquity of chicken introductions, and expand the scope to other areas.
I have worked extensively in Britain, with a focus on Scottish Island communities, from prehistory to the present. I have published widely on the Scottish islands, including on avian material from key sites on South Uist (Bornais, Cladh Hallan, and Cille Pheadair). I have recently made significant contributions to our understanding of internationally important medieval sites in England and Wales (including Llangorse, a medieval Welsh crannog site where our research revealed status-driven kill sharing, and food renders that aligned with historical sources). I have also been involved with ground-breaking research on animal extinctions (e.g. the great auk), introductions (e.g. goose domestication) and the application of novel methodologies (eggshell proteomics, incremental isotope analyses etc.).
I work globally and have analysed avifauna and mammalian taxa from Iceland (e.g. Alþingisreit) to Turkey (e.g. Çatalhöyük).
I am also deeply passionate about heritage-based engagement and impact work. I led SHARE's impact portfolio for REF2021 as Research Impact Coordinator (UoAs 15 and 28), and now am Director of Impact and Engagement for the School. In addition to coordinating impact work for multiple UoAs, I have written high-scoring personal ICSs for UoA15 at three institutions, and strongly contributed to the Cardiff UoA15 submission’s outstanding 5th place for Impact in REF2021. I have been involved with Guerilla Archaeology since its formation in 2012, and I am now co-lead with emerit Professor Jacqui Mulville (founder). I have been responsible for coordinating major engagement projects including Consuming Prehistory and Science of the Lambs.
Teaching
I teach across several areas of archaeology at UG and PGT level, with a focus on the archaeological sciences. I am currently module leader for: Zooarchaeology; Analysing Archaeology; The Archaeology of Britain: Prehistory to Present; PGT MA Dissertation.
I co-coordinate Biomolecular Archaeology, and contribute to a diverse range of other modules including: Forensic and Osteoarchaeology; Applied Archaeological Science; Medieval Archaeology; Death and Commemoration; Medieval Worlds; Discovering Archaeology; Archaeology Field and Practical Skills.
I am a supervisor for Independent Studies, UG Dissertations and PGT dissertations.
Biography
Career Overview
2023 - present: Cardiff University, Senior Lecturer in Archaeology (Bioarchaeology)
2016 - 2023: Cardiff University, Lecturer in Bioarchaeology and Lecturer in Archaeology (permanent since July 2022).
2017 - 2020: Bournemouth University, Zooarchaeological researcher
2014 - 2017: Bournemouth University, Post-Doctoral Research Associate on the AHRC "Cultural and Scientific Perceptions of Human-Chicken Interactions’” Project and "Causing a Flap" AHRC follow on project
Education and Qualifications
|
Cardiff University |
Sept 2009 – Sept 2013. Viva Dec 2013. Graduated 2014. |
PhD (AHRC Funded). Living in Liminality: an Osteoarchaeological Investigation into the Use of Avian Resources in North Atlantic Island Environments |
|
Cardiff University |
2008-2009 |
MA Archaeology (AHRC Funded), Distinction. |
|
Cardiff University |
2005-2008 |
BA Archaeology, First Class Honours |
Honours and awards
2025: SHAREd Evidence Enhancing AHSS PCE (£975.20)
2024: Guerilla Archaeology: Opening access to the Past and Changing Knowledge. IAA SIF (£3750)
2024: Wool Industries and Sheep Histories: a project for creating knowledge, widening access, and embedding sustainable heritage. URL (£5000)
2023: Embedding Heritage Craft. H-IAA Dennis PI, Best, Co-I, Mulville Co-I (£14,930)
2022: Craftwork: New impacts from ancient items. Innovation for all grant. Mulville PI, Best Co-I. (£13,326)
2017: "Causing a Flap: using chicken-based research to transform education, poultry production and human well-being" AHRC Follow on Funding Research Grant (£73,382) https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=AH%2FR003998%2F1
2017: Bournemouth University Bridging Fund Scheme for Research Staff (£8,124)
2016: Lead coordinator NERC ‘Early Chicken Dispersal in Europe: Tracing the Spread of Avian Livestock: Radiocarbon dating project’ (NF/2015/2/5). 14 dates (c. £5040)
2014: Bournemouth University Fusion Fund for Undergraduate Research Assistant (£748)
Supervisions
I am available for 1st or 2nd supervision of PGR students. I am interested in supervising students in areas such as:
- Zooarchaeology
- Avian archaeology
- Animal introductions and extinctions
- Diet and health
- Animal pathology
- Medieval economy and craft
- Experimental archaeology, particularly textiles
- Engagement, civic mission and impact related heritage projects
Current supervision
Contact Details
+44 29225 12373
John Percival Building, Room Room 5.49a, Colum Drive, Cardiff, CF10 3EU
