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Dr Michael Charlton
Lecturer in Archaeomaterials
Institute of Archaeology
Faculty of S&HS
- Joined UCL
- 7th Sep 2018
Research summary
Research Interests
Archaeological science (materials science and quantitative methods)
Preindustrial technology
Cultural transmission theory
Evolutionary archaeology
European archaeology
Research Projects and Fieldwork
2017-present: Coming Clean Project. Consulting data analyst - establishment of a statistical framework for analyzing multivariate qualitative data derived from conservation publications.
2016-present: Sudan Project Visiting researcher - investigation of ironmaking residues from Meroe, Sudan.
2015-present: Nok Metallurgy: iron production residues in Central Nigeria. Project Director - investigation of ironmaking residues from multiple sites associated with the first millennium BC Nok archaeological culture of Central Nigeria.
2014-2016: Geochemical Provenance Mapping of Pre-Roman Ironworking sites in Britain (IRONWORKS). Research Fellow; Project Director - development of a multivariate provenance database for Pre-Roman IronAge Britain derived from chemical characterizations of bloomery slag and slag inclusions in iron objects.
2014-present: UCL Qatar Smelting Festival, Meroe Sudan. Scientific Advisor - recording, sampling and analysis of materials and operating conditions for a series of bloomery iron smelting experiments based on archaeological evidence at Meroe.
2012-present: Metallurgical Waste—Skilled Production and Environmental impact. Research Partner - analysis of metallurgical production systems and their residues to assess technological skill and long-term impacts on landscape development, ecological niches, and human health.
2003-present: Experimental Investigation of Bloomery Ironmaking Systems. Materials characterization and data analysis specialist - analysis and characterization of ironmaking products and residues derived from experimental bloomery smelting systems carried out at Plas Tan y Bwlch, Wales.
Teaching summary
Degree Programme Co-ordinator: MSc in Archaeological Science: Technology and Materials
Course Co-ordinator: ARCL0098 Archaeometallurgy: Mining and Extractive Metallurgy
Course Co-ordinator: ARCL0170 Laboratory and instrumental skills in archaeological science
Education
- University College London
- Doctorate, Doctor of Philosophy | 2007
- University of Missouri-Columbia
- Other higher degree, Master of Arts | 2002
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- First Degree, Bachelor of Arts | 1997
Biography
BA, MA, PhDPhD (UCL Institute of Archaeology, 2007). Thesis title: Ironworking in Northwest Wales: An Evolutionary Analysis
MA (University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002). Thesis title: Explaining Temporal Variation in Slag Chemistry at the Titelberg Hillfort, Luxembourg
BA in Anthropology (University of Illinois at Chicago, 1997)