DC6: Kevin Sleebos

I started my study of archaeology at Saxion University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, exploring the integration of history, biology, analytical techniques and organic remains. My BSc thesis on the application of paleoparasitological techniques investigated the viability of antigens from soil samples collected from human sacra as proxies for microscopic parasites to assess past infections. This required an ecological approach that considered the lifecycles and environmental conditions that support these organisms. The project was made possible in collaboration with the municipality of Deventer, the Academy of Life Science, Engineering & Design and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). From this experience I became interested in potential applications of environmental genomics in archaeological research, as sequencing DNA results in a dataset that remains accessible after the destruction of a sample.

After completing a minor focusing on Arctic and Prehistoric Archaeology at the University of Groningen, I decided to pursue a master's degree there as well. I was offered the opportunity to learn about genomics at the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES) by studying marine mammal population genetics, while also being engaged in a project examining past zooarchaeological studies of whale remains. For my MA thesis I investigated the application of metabarcoding on existing ancient DNA datasets for paleoenvironmental reconstruction.

During and after my master’s, I applied my practical experience in GIS, surveying and geoarchaeology as an archaeologist in the cultural heritage management in the Netherlands and in research projects on the Mesolithic of Lower Saxony and Bronze Age Calabria.
 

During my studies, I enjoyed collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Working interdisciplinarily and interculturally helps challenging preconceived notions and generate new ideas, which allows for great opportunities for both professional and personal development. Interdisciplinarity is one of the hallmarks of ArCHe. This aspect, coupled with the highly international character of the network and its goal of increasing the scientific and public value of Europe’s Late-Paleolithic and Mesolithic coastal heritage, really resonated with me. I believe that collaboration within this context has the potential to generate deep-time perspectives on the interplay between humans, ecology and changing environmental and climatic conditions. Exploring this topic is what I set out to do during my master’s, so when I was offered the opportunity to do research within this framework, I wholeheartedly accepted and through it, I intend to make meaningful contributions.