Eleanor Scerri
@elliescerri.bsky.social
Archaeologist, head of the Human Palaeosystems Group at the MPI-GEA, Reader at the University of Cologne, A/Prof at the University of Malta & NatGeo Explorer. Human evolution, niche expansion & the transition to human dominated landscapes.
5/5 Thanks to all our amazing co-authors, not all of whom are on Bluesky - so posting this!
June 18, 2025 at 3:13 PM
5/5 Thanks to all our amazing co-authors, not all of whom are on Bluesky - so posting this!
Final day of the #IslandLegacies conference today! So grateful for the convergence of such a fantastic group of scholars and thinkers. It has been truly inspirational!
June 5, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Final day of the #IslandLegacies conference today! So grateful for the convergence of such a fantastic group of scholars and thinkers. It has been truly inspirational!
A nice video on our work in @nature.com from the Times of Malta with English subtitles for the Maltese parts!
www.facebook.com/share/v/185P...
www.facebook.com/share/v/185P...
April 10, 2025 at 10:23 AM
A nice video on our work in @nature.com from the Times of Malta with English subtitles for the Maltese parts!
www.facebook.com/share/v/185P...
www.facebook.com/share/v/185P...
Starting at least 8500 years ago, these Mesolithic Maltese overcame land size issues by exploiting marine as well as avian resources. They also found a Malta teeming with now extinct endemic species, like red deer, tortoises, foxes, large lizards and birds. We never knew these animals met humans.
April 9, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Starting at least 8500 years ago, these Mesolithic Maltese overcame land size issues by exploiting marine as well as avian resources. They also found a Malta teeming with now extinct endemic species, like red deer, tortoises, foxes, large lizards and birds. We never knew these animals met humans.
Reaching Malta required ~100km in open water - the longest sea journeys known by hunter-gatherers in the Mediterranean. Hunter-gatherers were not thought to have reached the Med's small and remote islands either because they couldn't or it wasn't worth the attempt. Below is the site of Latnija!
April 9, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reaching Malta required ~100km in open water - the longest sea journeys known by hunter-gatherers in the Mediterranean. Hunter-gatherers were not thought to have reached the Med's small and remote islands either because they couldn't or it wasn't worth the attempt. Below is the site of Latnija!
In @nature.com we report the presence of the Mesolithic on Malta - upending everything we knew about the seafaring capabilities of late European hunter-gatherers and pushing back Maltese prehistory by 1000 years. Watch the clip, link to open access paper is below. 1/5
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
April 9, 2025 at 3:08 PM
In @nature.com we report the presence of the Mesolithic on Malta - upending everything we knew about the seafaring capabilities of late European hunter-gatherers and pushing back Maltese prehistory by 1000 years. Watch the clip, link to open access paper is below. 1/5
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Working in Saudi Arabia for ten years was an incredible experience. We're dropping a major paper next Wednesday on this at 17.00 CEST. Watch this space!
April 2, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Working in Saudi Arabia for ten years was an incredible experience. We're dropping a major paper next Wednesday on this at 17.00 CEST. Watch this space!
Honoured to receive an award for contributions to education and science in #Malta for #InternationalWomensDay!
March 9, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Honoured to receive an award for contributions to education and science in #Malta for #InternationalWomensDay!
In a few days, we'll release the concise conference programme, with speakers and titles, and you'll be able to see why we are so excited. This is going to be an excellent opportunity to get new knowledge, network, and disseminate your results. Register! #IslandLegacies.
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
February 24, 2025 at 6:29 PM
In a few days, we'll release the concise conference programme, with speakers and titles, and you'll be able to see why we are so excited. This is going to be an excellent opportunity to get new knowledge, network, and disseminate your results. Register! #IslandLegacies.
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
The perfect spot for the #IslandLegacies conference Ice breaker party? Gorgeous sea views...check...amazing Mediterranean garigue terrace...check...beautiful sandy beach...check! Register now before the Early Bird fees end!
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
February 24, 2025 at 7:09 AM
The perfect spot for the #IslandLegacies conference Ice breaker party? Gorgeous sea views...check...amazing Mediterranean garigue terrace...check...beautiful sandy beach...check! Register now before the Early Bird fees end!
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
These Bronze Age 'disc' figurines from #Malta are fascinating. They were found in a funerary context, by Dr Sir T. Zammit a century ago at Tarxien. What do these strange figures represent? Why are they so abstract? Photo credit: Clive Vella, Heritage Malta.
January 26, 2025 at 9:42 AM
These Bronze Age 'disc' figurines from #Malta are fascinating. They were found in a funerary context, by Dr Sir T. Zammit a century ago at Tarxien. What do these strange figures represent? Why are they so abstract? Photo credit: Clive Vella, Heritage Malta.
We're finalising our submitted abstracts and can say there's going to be an exciting array of fantastic interdisciplinary talks at the #IslandLegacies conference! Sign up while you can as places are limited!
January 21, 2025 at 7:31 AM
We're finalising our submitted abstracts and can say there's going to be an exciting array of fantastic interdisciplinary talks at the #IslandLegacies conference! Sign up while you can as places are limited!
Back from a fantastic #SalonSophieCharlotte at the Brandernberg National Academy of Sciences, where a @maxplanck.de stage was incredibly well attended! I really enjoyed talking about our work in Africa and #Malta and what light this sheds of the expansion of the human niche!
January 20, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Back from a fantastic #SalonSophieCharlotte at the Brandernberg National Academy of Sciences, where a @maxplanck.de stage was incredibly well attended! I really enjoyed talking about our work in Africa and #Malta and what light this sheds of the expansion of the human niche!
Taken in 2016 at a major European Natural History Museum. Even then it seemed odd that people got to Beringia before they discovered the western half of Africa! How much has changed, and still so much will change again.
December 17, 2024 at 1:10 PM
Taken in 2016 at a major European Natural History Museum. Even then it seemed odd that people got to Beringia before they discovered the western half of Africa! How much has changed, and still so much will change again.
Weird animals found on Mediterranean Islands. The example of Malta - a sort of Pleistocene "Galapagos", but were these animals conspecific? When and why did they die out? Until recently we had no answers, but we hope to change this! Hear more on #palaeontology at the #IslandLegacies conference!
December 6, 2024 at 7:38 AM
Weird animals found on Mediterranean Islands. The example of Malta - a sort of Pleistocene "Galapagos", but were these animals conspecific? When and why did they die out? Until recently we had no answers, but we hope to change this! Hear more on #palaeontology at the #IslandLegacies conference!
If your work is in based on #Mediterranean islands, and you love #megafauna, #geomorphology, #tectonics, #prehistory, #palaeontology, #palaeoclimate, #archaeology, #biogeography, consider submitting a paper to the #IslandLegacies conference - call closes 15.12! Share!
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
December 5, 2024 at 7:44 AM
If your work is in based on #Mediterranean islands, and you love #megafauna, #geomorphology, #tectonics, #prehistory, #palaeontology, #palaeoclimate, #archaeology, #biogeography, consider submitting a paper to the #IslandLegacies conference - call closes 15.12! Share!
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
I miss being with my group & MPI-GEA colleagues today for our conference, so I want to celebrate how incredible they are, together with the truly special collaborators we've been working with at the @eegcam.bsky.social and beyond. I am blessed to work with such kind, smart and creative people!
December 3, 2024 at 7:27 AM
I miss being with my group & MPI-GEA colleagues today for our conference, so I want to celebrate how incredible they are, together with the truly special collaborators we've been working with at the @eegcam.bsky.social and beyond. I am blessed to work with such kind, smart and creative people!
The day before our flagship West African conference and I wake up with Pneumonia. Literally planned this meeting for four years and I can now only be there online. What a curveball :(
December 2, 2024 at 1:18 PM
The day before our flagship West African conference and I wake up with Pneumonia. Literally planned this meeting for four years and I can now only be there online. What a curveball :(
Just over 2 weeks left to submit an abstract for consideration as a podium talk or poster presentation for the #IslandLegacies conference. Consider a submission now! :)
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
November 29, 2024 at 4:19 PM
Just over 2 weeks left to submit an abstract for consideration as a podium talk or poster presentation for the #IslandLegacies conference. Consider a submission now! :)
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
More to tempt you to the #IslandLegacies conference! The Gala dinner will be held at the beautiful Villa Refalo, the 19th century villa that now forms part of the Corinthia Palace. All included in the €125 registration fee! Register now, there are only 150 places!
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
November 20, 2024 at 8:09 AM
More to tempt you to the #IslandLegacies conference! The Gala dinner will be held at the beautiful Villa Refalo, the 19th century villa that now forms part of the Corinthia Palace. All included in the €125 registration fee! Register now, there are only 150 places!
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
This is the beautiful venue where the #IslandLegacies conference will be held: built in 1595 as the Jesuit College in Valletta, a UNESCO world heritage city, it became the University in 1769 when the Jesuits were expelled. Call for papers is open and closes 15.12.24!
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
November 18, 2024 at 7:44 AM
This is the beautiful venue where the #IslandLegacies conference will be held: built in 1595 as the Jesuit College in Valletta, a UNESCO world heritage city, it became the University in 1769 when the Jesuits were expelled. Call for papers is open and closes 15.12.24!
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
In just 2 weeks we're hosting the first conference about human evolution and West Africa. Very excited!
www.gea.mpg.de/104309/confe...
www.gea.mpg.de/104309/confe...
November 16, 2024 at 5:56 PM
In just 2 weeks we're hosting the first conference about human evolution and West Africa. Very excited!
www.gea.mpg.de/104309/confe...
www.gea.mpg.de/104309/confe...
Interested in Mediterranean Island Prehistory from multiple perspectives? Then the #IslandLegacies conference is the one for you! Click the below link for info - 3 days with lunch included, keynote with wine reception, gala dinner and excursions all for €125!
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
November 15, 2024 at 12:58 PM
Interested in Mediterranean Island Prehistory from multiple perspectives? Then the #IslandLegacies conference is the one for you! Click the below link for info - 3 days with lunch included, keynote with wine reception, gala dinner and excursions all for €125!
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
www.um.edu.mt/events/islan...
A great day at @chrisbstringer.bsky.social's Mostly Out of Africa conference! Fantastic to see so many great colleagues and their talks, and honoured to be among them. Looking forward to more tomorrow including Chris receiving his Huxley Medal!
November 6, 2023 at 10:06 PM
A great day at @chrisbstringer.bsky.social's Mostly Out of Africa conference! Fantastic to see so many great colleagues and their talks, and honoured to be among them. Looking forward to more tomorrow including Chris receiving his Huxley Medal!
Bidni olive, the indigenous olive of the Maltese Islands. It almost went extinct when farmers began planting mainland varieties with much larger olives. The Bidni is small, and half moon shaped and produces a small yield of distinctive peppery oil now valued as a gourmet variety.
October 9, 2023 at 5:54 AM
Bidni olive, the indigenous olive of the Maltese Islands. It almost went extinct when farmers began planting mainland varieties with much larger olives. The Bidni is small, and half moon shaped and produces a small yield of distinctive peppery oil now valued as a gourmet variety.