Palaeolithic Archaeology Group

Palaeolithic Archaeology Group

People starting to dig at site Grub Kranawetberg II
P.R.Nigst

What we do

The Palaeolithic Archaeology Group (PalArchGroup) investigates the deep past and evolutionary history of humans. We are interested in how hominins evolved and how they adapted and changed their behaviours over the past 4 million years. We explore the very reasons that shaped hominin behaviorus and adaptations. Specifically, we investigate the evolution of hominins through the study of their archaeological remains. We do this by conducting fieldwork to generate new datasets and laboratory analysis of new and existing datasets. 

We are interested in contributing to a better understanding of:

  • hominin behavioural diversity
  • adaptations and responses to changing environmental and climatic conditions
  • interaction between different hominin species

Key for pursuing these themes are an understanding of both natural and anthropogenic site formation processes and interdisciplinary approaches.

→ See here for news on our current work!

→ The PalArchGroup is part of the research network HEAS (Human Evolution and Archaeological Sciences).

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  • Excavation work under the tent at Grub-Kranawetberg II
    P.R.Nigst, Bence Viola
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  • View of the site of Korman 9, Middle Dniester valley, Ukraine
    P.R.Nigst
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  • View of an excavated area of site Willendorf 2 with many finds
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  • Two people sitting inside the excavated area at Willendorf 2, seen from above
    P.R.Nigst
  • View of the section of Grub Kranawetberg 1 excavation
    P.R.Nigst
  • Team working at the excavation at Beregovo I
    P.R.Nigst, Vitaly Usik

    Our latest news

    Participation in the UISPP Congress

    Conference Presentations
    Inside the UISPP conference building
    P.R.Nigst

    Several PalArch Group and REMO members participated in the UISPP Congress in Poznań, Poland

    Arrival in Poznań for the UISPP Congress

    Conference Presentations

    Ready for the UISPP Congress in Poznań, Poland

    Excavation season 2026 finished!

    Fieldwork
    Part of the excavation team, who finished backfilling
    P.R.Nigst

    After four weeks we finished our excavation season 2026 at Grub-Kranawetberg II today

    Further news updates

    Want to work with us?

    Are you looking for an internship, voluntary work or materials for your dissertation? Or are you a post-doctoral researcher and want to join our team? - If so, please get in contact to discuss interests and options!

    Join our Team
    Digging out with a shovel, start of the excavation at Grub Kranawetberg II 2024
    P.R.Nigst

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    Our research is currently funded by the following institutions/granting agencies:

    FWF Logo
    Kulur NÖ Logo
    Assoc. Prof. Dr.

    Philip R. Nigst

    Department of Prehistoric and Historical Archaeology
    University of Vienna
    Franz-Klein-Gasse 1
    1190 Vienna
    Austria

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