UNIARQ is a Research Centre of the School of Arts and Humanities (SAH) of the University of Lisbon (UL) dedicated to archaeological research. UNIARQ has 34 integrated PhD researchers, 18 without PhD (17 of which PhD students) and 37 collaborators, totalling 89 researchers (http://www.uniarq.net).

Research is focused on the Iberian Peninsula, in the framework of global agendas covering themes from Lower Paleolithic to Late Antiquity/Middle Ages, constituting a reference in national and international scales.

Our research topics are (i) Human Evolution, (ii) early occupation of the territory during the Pleistocene, (iii) Neanderthal presence and mechanisms underlying the appearance of Modern Humans, (iv) presence of the last hunter-gatherers, (v) the Neolithization process, (vi) development of agro-pastoral economies, (vii) symbolic dynamics and the megalithic funerary architectures, (viii) rhythms of social and technological complexification of the first agrometallurgical societies, (ix) dynamics of the oriental presence and its interaction with the western Iberian Iron Age communities, (x) origins of ancient writing systems, (xi) construction of Lusitania within the Roman Empire, and (xii) transformations that characterized the Late Antiquity. UNIARQ aims to open new research fields on Historical Archaeology topics.

Research areas are developed in the framework of specific projects by transdisciplinary teams, using methodologies in which Archaeosciences hold a significant role. Fieldwork – both excavations and surveys - spreading throughout the Iberian Peninsula and sites such as Almonda's Cave, Cueva Antón, Mesas do Castelinho and Monte Molião have been the object of long-term strategic projects.

UNIARQ develops broad-range partnerships with other universities, labs and research centres, building a network for the production and circulation of knowledge with an international scope. In Portugal, the strategic partnership with the National Museum of Archaeology is a decisive instrument for our research and result in diffusion dynamics. UNIARQ, belonging to the SAH of the UL, is actively involved in all cycles of study in Archaeology, integrating students into ongoing research projects.

UNIARQ's editorial work, in addition to monographs, also includes the Ophiussa journal, in both printed and digital form. Scientific production is presented in reference publications and meetings, both national and international, being available through the Open Access Repository of the UL (http://repositorio.ul.pt/handle/10451/8771).

UNIARQ aims to further develop a proactive policy of knowledge dissemination visible in local impact of its research contributing to identity empowerment and sustainable development. Strengthening our critical mass by attracting young researchers, with better hosting conditions within a creative research environment is a major goal.