Research by Dr Jana Jones has been shortlisted in the International Collaboration of the Year category in the 2015 Times Higher Education (THE) awards.

Dr Jones, working with Dr Stephen Buckley of the Department of Archaeology and BioArCh and the Departments of Archaeology, Biology and Chemistry at the University of York, discovered new evidence suggesting the origins of mummification started in ancient Egypt 1500 years earlier than previously thought.

Prior to Dr Jones’ research, no evidence had been found indicating mummification techniques were in use during the Prehistoric period, about 4300 BC.

This pioneering research has fed into Dr Jones’ current project exploring the origins and development of mummification.

“I have been overwhelmed by this announcement,” says Dr Jones. “To receive international acknowledgement for interdisciplinary research between the humanities and the sciences in such an iconic symbol of higher education as THE, is a gratifying achievement. Even to be shortlisted is in itself significant.”

Professor Sakkie Pretorius, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) says Dr Jones’ work has fundamentally changed our understanding of Ancient Egyptian burial practices.

“This is another example of a Macquarie researcher engaging as a world-recognised research collaborator to deliver world-changing impact,” says Professor Pretorius.

The THE Awards are widely recognised as the ‘Oscars’ of the higher education sector, each year attracting hundreds of entries. The winners will be revealed at an awards evening in London on Thursday 26 November 2015.

Read Dr Jones’ original research paper Evidence for Prehistoric Origins of Egyptian Mummification in Late Neolithic Burials, and learn more on Research Impact and the Newsroom.