Europe

Denis Sharapov

Denis Sharapov is interested in understanding how the development of early complex societies in the grassland steppes of northern Eurasia compared to similar processes in other world regions. His research aims to clear up uncertainties surrounding the demographic and spatial parameters of Middle Bronze Age (MBA) (2100-1700 BC) Sintashta communities of southern Russia. To pursue this matter he is carrying out a multi-scalar investigation of a 40 sq km region that contains one MBA fortified town and its immediate hinterlands. Denis follows up on previous research efforts by Russian archaeologists with systematic shovel probing, surface collection, targeted test-pitting, and geophysical prospection. The project's results will help understand how complex societies emerged in an area that has traditionally been characterized by low demographic densities and high levels of population mobility. PhD 2017!

Degrees and Education

PhD - Anthropology - University of Pittsburgh (2017)

Igor Chechushkov

Igor Chechushkov is interested in the development of the early complex societies in Bronze Age Eurasia (2000-1700 BC). His ongoing project evaluates ways of social-political organization of the so-called "Country of Towns" in the southern Urals, Russia (the Sintashta-Petrovka archaeological culture). Specifically, the project seeks the missing part of society: people who substantially contributed to the production of vital resources and building of the fortified settlements, but who had very simple life-style, which is almost invisible archaeologically. To do that, Igor uses the methodology of local-scale survey and excavation, as well as geochemistry and soil morphology.