Ester Oras
Ester Oras | |
|---|---|
 Oras in 2020 | |
| Born | September 11, 1984 |
| Citizenship | Estonian |
| Alma mater | |
| Known for | Biomolecular archaeology; organic residue analysis; ancient diet reconstruction |
| Awards |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | |
| Institutions | University of Tartu |
Ester Oras (born 11 September 1984) is an Estonian archaeochemist and professor of archaeochemistry at the University of Tartu.[3] She is the founder and leader of the interdisciplinary research group Archemy, which applies biomolecular and analytical chemistry methods to archaeological questions, particularly related to ancient diet and health.[4] In 2024, she received an ERC Starting Grant for the project FoodID on dietary identities in the past.[1][4]
Education and career
[edit]Oras studied archaeology and chemistry at the University of Tartu.[5] She completed a PhD at the University of Cambridge in 2014.[6]
At the University of Tartu, she holds appointments spanning the Institute of Chemistry and the Department of Archaeology, and is listed by the university as Professor of Archaeochemistry (part-time) in both units.[3]
Research
[edit]Oras's research uses biomolecular approaches (including organic residue analysis) to study ancient foodways, health, and mobility from archaeological materials such as pottery and human remains.[5][4]
She was part of a multidisciplinary team that investigated two Egyptian child mummies held by the University of Tartu Art Museum, publishing results in PLOS ONE (2020).[7]
She has also contributed biomolecular analyses to international archaeological research reported in Estonian media, including work connected to the identification of Europe's oldest known trace of blue pigment.[8]
Oras is a representative on the editorial board of the Journal of Archaeological Science, as listed by the Society for Archaeological Sciences.[9]
Awards and recognition
[edit]- ERC Starting Grant (2024): Awarded for the project Food identities: biomolecular archaeology reveals multiple and dynamic social identities (FoodID).[1][4]
- L'Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science Baltic Young Talents (2022): Awarded for research on ancient diets and health.[2][10]
- Pro Futura Scientia Fellow (SCAS): Selected as a Pro Futura Scientia Fellow at the Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study.[6][11]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "ERC Starting Grants 2024 – List of Principal Investigators (results)" (PDF). European Research Council. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
- 1 2 "Ester Oras awarded L'Oréal-UNESCO "For Women in Science" Young Talents award". University of Tartu Institute of Chemistry. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
- 1 2 "Ester Oras". University of Tartu. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "You are what you eat – ERC grant supports research into past people's identities based on their diet". University of Tartu. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
- 1 2 "Ester Oras – CV". Estonian Research Information System (ETIS). Retrieved 8 January 2026.
- 1 2 "Ester Oras". Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
- ↑ Oras, Ester; et al. (16 January 2020). "Multidisciplinary investigation of two Egyptian child mummies curated at the University of Tartu Art Museum, Estonia (Late/Graeco-Roman Periods)". PLOS ONE. 15 (1) e0227446. Bibcode:2020PLoSO..1527446O. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227446. PMC 6964855. PMID 31945091.
- ↑ "Estonian archeochemist helps find traces of Europe's oldest blue dye". ERR News. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
- ↑ "Representative on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Archaeological Science – Ester Oras". Society for Archaeological Sciences. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
- ↑ "UT archaeochemist Ester Oras receives the fellowship For Women in Science". University of Tartu. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
- ↑ "Former Fellows SCAS".
External links
[edit]- Ester Oras at the University of Tartu
- Ester Oras – CV at the Estonian Research Information System (ETIS)
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