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Gilliane F Monnier

Photo of Gilliane F Monnier

Contact Me

monni003@umn.edu
612-626-4846

Anthropology
395 Hubert H. Humphrey Center

301 19th Ave S

Affiliations
Links

My primary research focus is using stone tools to reconstruct human behavior and culture change throughout the Lower and Middle Paleolithic in western Europe. I am interested in the chronological distribution of stone tool types as an indicator of culture change; in the relationship between stone tool shapes (including symmetry and standardization) and human cognitive abilities; and in lithic edge wear and residue analysis as an indicator of stone tool functions.

Educational Background & Specialties

Educational Background

  • Ph.D: Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2000.
  • M. Phil.: Archaeology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K., 1992.
  • B. A.: Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1991.

Specialties

  • Stone tool analysis
  • Lower and Middle Paleolithic in Western Europe
  • Neanderthal behavior
  • Microarchaeology
Courses Taught
  • Anth 1001: Human Evolution
  • Anth 3001: Introduction to Archaeology
  • Anth 3221: Archaeology Field School
  • Anth 4001: Advanced Method and Theory in Archaeology: Experimental Archaeology
  • Anth 4077: Neanderthals: Biology and Culture of Humanity's Nearest Relative
Research & Professional Activities

Research

  • Developing FTIR microscopy for lithic residue analysis: funded by the National Science Foundation, grant # BCS-1420702, 9/1/14 - 8/31/18
  • Reconstructing Prehistoric Lifeways at the Bremer Site (21DK06), Dakota County, MN, through microarchaeology: funded by the Minnesota Historical Society, grant # 1307-00979, 1/21/14 - 6/1/15
  • Early modern human behavior in the Middle Danube region of Central Europe: Microarchaeology at Tvarozna-Za skolou, Czech Republic; funded by the National Science Foundation, grant # BCS-1354095, 9/1/14 - 9/1/18
Publications
  • G. Monnier, E. Frahm, B. Luo, K. Missal, 2017. Developing FTIR microspectroscopy for the analysis of animal-tissue residues on stone tools. Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory. March 13, 2017.
  • G. Monnier, E. Frahm, B. Luo, K. Missal, 2017. Developing FTIR microspectroscopy for analysis of plant residues on stone tools. Journal of Archaeological Science 78:158-178.
  • E. Frahm, J. Feinberg, G. Monnier, G. Tostevin, B. Gasparyan, D. Adler, 2016. Lithic raw material units based on magnetic properties: a blind test with Armenian obsidian and application to the Middle Paleolithic site of Lusakert Cave 1. Journal of Archaeological Science 74:102-123.
  • E. Frahm, G. Monnier, N. Jelinski, E. Fleming, B. Barber, J. Lambon, 2016. Chemical soil surveys at the Bremer Site (Dakota County, Minnesota, USA): Measuring phosphorous content of sediment by portable XRF and ICP-OES. Journal of Archaeological Science 75:115-138
  • S. Croft, G. Monnier, A. Radini, A. Little, N. Milner, 2016. Lithic residue survival and characterization at Star Carr: a Burial Experiment. Internet Archaeology 42:1-88. http://dx.doi.org/10/11141/i.42.5
  • G. F. Monnier and K. Missal, 2014. Another Mousterian Debate? Bordian facies, chaîne opératoire technocomplexes, and patterns of lithic variability in the western European Middle and Upper Pleistocene. Quaternary International 350 (2014):59-83.
  • G. F. Monnier and E. Bischoff, 2014. Size matters. An evaluation of descriptive and metric criteria for identifying cut marks made by unmodified rocks during butchery. Journal of Archaeological Science 50:305-317.
  • G. F. Monnier, Thomas C. Hauck, Joshua M. Feinberg, Bing Luo, Jean-Marie Le Tensorer, Heba al Sakhel, 2013. A multi-analytical methodology of lithic residue analysis applied to Paleolithic tools from Hummal, Syria. Journal of Archaeological Science 40:3722-3739.
  • G. F. Monnier, J. L. Ladwig, S. T. Porter, 2012. Swept under the rug: the problem of unacknowledged ambiguity in lithic residue identification. Journal of Archaeological Science 39:3284-3300.
  • G. F. Monnier, 2012. Neanderthal Behavior. Nature Education Knowledge 3(6):11. http://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/neanderthal-behavior-59267999
  • G. F. Monnier and K. P. McNulty, 2010. Questioning the Link Between Stone Tool Standardization and Behavioral Modernity, pp. 61-82 in New Perspectives on Old Stones: Analytical Approaches to Palaeolithic Technologies, ed. by S. Lycett and P. Chauhan. Springer Press. Download
  • G. F. Monnier, 2007. Middle Paleolithic Scraper Morphology, Flaking Mechanics, and Imposed Form: Revisiting Bisson's "Interview with a Neanderthal." Cambridge Archaeological Journal 17:3:341-50. Download
  • G. F. Monnier, 2006. The Lower/Middle Paleolithic Periodization in Western Europe: An Evaluation. Current Anthropology 47:709-744. Download
  • G. F. Monnier, 2006. Testing Retouched Flake Tool Standardization during the Middle Paleolithic: Patterns and Implications, pp. 57-84 in Transitions before The Transition: evolution and stability in the Middle Paleolithic and Middle Stone Age, ed. by E. Hovers and S. L. Kuhn. New York: Kluwer Press.