Professor RICHARD Evershed FRS

Richard Evershed uses innovative techniques to analyse archaeological finds and reveal a ‘chemical fingerprint’ that sheds light on the animals hunted — and plants farmed — by ancient humans. His work is providing fascinating insights into how diets evolved as humans migrated away from the Middle East nearly 11,000 years ago.

Using chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques, Richard separates and identifies trace ‘biomolecules’ found in ancient pots and other artefacts. He then compares results from different periods and locations in human history to show how diets have changed. By applying his methods to fossils and ancient soils, Richard is discovering new information about prehistoric animals and the Earth’s past climate.

Richard is enthusiastic about promoting public understanding of his work, participating in interactive exhibitions, podcasts, public talks and interviews with the media. He has received awards for his work, including the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Interdisciplinary Award and the Aston Medal of the British Mass Spectrometry Society.

Subject groups

  • Patterns in Populations

    Organismal biology (including invertebrate and vertebrate zoology), Ecology (incl behavioural ecology), Environmental biology, Biological Anthropology

  • Earth and Environmental Sciences

    Agricultural and forest science, Soil science, Climate sciences, Geodesy

  • Chemistry

    Chemistry, organic, Chemistry, applied, Chemistry, biological

  • Molecules of Life

    Molecular microbiology

  • Cell Biology

    General microbiology (incl bacteriology and virology)

Professor RICHARD Evershed FRS
Elected 2010
Committees Participated Role
Research Grants Committee: Biological Science January 2025 - December 2027 Member
Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships Selection Committee January 2017 - December 2022 Member
Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships Committee April 2012 - December 2016 Member