This month, we feature Dimitri Papavasiliou, a fourth-year PhD student in Anthropology whose research examines fire use and domestic space in Pleistocene hunter-gatherers, with a focus on hearth and bedding practices. His work combines ethnoarchaeology, microarchaeological methods, and international collaboration to better understand how everyday human behaviors are preserved in the archaeological record.
Dimitri received his B.A. and M.A. in archaeology from Boston University, where he specialized in tropical archaeobotany. His research affiliations include the University of Nairobi, the British Institute in Eastern Africa, the National Museums of Kenya, and the Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program. He also collaborates with the AMBI Lab at La Laguna University in Spain and is a member of Rutgers’ Laboratory for MicroArchaeology.
Research Focus
Hearths and bedding materials are central to understanding Paleolithic lifeways but are highly vulnerable in preservation. Dimitri’s research addresses two key challenges: identifying the function of Paleolithic hearth features, and detecting bedding materials in archaeological contexts.
To address these questions, he conducted ethnoarchaeological fieldwork with the Ogiek, an Indigenous hunter-gatherer community in Kenya. His work documents traditional fire-and bed-making practices and collects comparative samples to improve the interpretation of archaeological sites.
Fieldwork and Methods
Dimitri spent five months in the field. He lived and worked with the Ogiek community in Kenya for two months, followed by three months in Spain. While in Spain, he excavated at the Middle Paleolithic site of El Salt and conducted laboratory analyses.
His methods include micromorphology, FTIR, loss on ignition (LOI), phytolith analysis, and microcharcoal quantification, with samples processed at Rutgers and partner institutions.
Life in the Field
Dimitri’s mornings began with loud tapping at the window of the small room in the cultural center where he stayed, caused by a forest bird smashing nuts against the glass. His days were spent organizing equipment, coordinating excavation schedules, collecting samples, and conducting interviews with community members. Much of the work required careful planning, including protecting samples left to dry overnight in the forest and securing permission from village elders before working in local communities.
Excavating a single hearth feature took approximately 3 hours, and because the plaster covering micromorphology blocks needed to dry overnight, Dimitri often protected samples in the forest and returned the following day. Some sampling took place in villages, requiring permission from elders and close observation by community members. He also conducted interviews at both the cultural center and in surrounding villages.
K
ey Insights
Dimitri documented nine types of traditional hearth features and three types of bedding practices. These features produced distinct stratigraphic signatures, ranging from thick ash layers and rubified sediments to subtle sediment discoloration. Bedding features revealed sediment patterns comparable to phytolith-rich deposits identified at Sibudu Cave in South Africa. Highlighting the potential of ethnoarchaeology to refine interpretations of Paleolithic domestic behavior.
Community Impact
Beyond academic contributions, Dimitri emphasizes ethical, collaborative research. He was the first researcher to work with the Ogiek’s newly established cultural center and hopes his project will support long-term research partnerships and broader recognition of Ogiek history and culture.
Together with community members, he founded the Ogiek Youth Development Program (OYDP), which supports education, school supplies, and intergenerational mentorship initiatives, an effort he describes as one of the most rewarding parts of his fieldwork.
CHES Support
This research was supported by the CHES Albert Fellows Dissertation Research Grant, which enabled his extended international fieldwork.
Advice for the Field
Be prepared, be respectful, and enjoy every moment. Let adversity introduce you to yourself and let the challenges make you wiser…
