The AHRC has just awarded the University of Nottingham £644,856 (£801,720 FEC) through the Standard Grant Scheme to lead an international and multidisciplinary investigation into the circumstances and cultural significance of the European Fallow Deer (Dama dama dama). This species is native to a restricted area in Anatolia (where it is now endangered in the wild) but, since the Stone Age, people have gradually transported it around the world. Fallow deer are now established icons of stately homes, such as Wollaton Hall.
The project will run for three years and will be directed by Naomi Sykes from the Department of Archaeology. Co-Is include the Department of Archaeology's honorary Professor, Jane Evans from the British Geological Survey, Keyworth, and Prof. Rus Hoelzel from the Department of Biology, University of Durham. Two post-doctoral researchers will be appointed, one to be based at Durham, the other at Nottingham.
The project will result in approximately 30 A-rated publications but will also deliver exhibitions at internationally renowned museums as well as a documentary commission from wildlife film-maker Luke Saddler, a graduate of the University's MSc in Biological Imaging.
www.nottingham.ac.uk/archaeology/fallowdeer
Posted on Wednesday 9th November 2011