Adela Cebeiro

I am currently a PhD candidate in Archaeological Anthropology at New York University (USA). My research focuses on understanding the emergence and evolution of primate (human and nonhuman) stone tool technology by integrating primate archaeology, behavioral ecology, biomechanics, and lithic analysis.

During my PhD, I am establishing the Ukophula Field Project, a primate archaeology field site at Monkeyland and The Hidden Forest Primate Sanctuaries (South Africa).

Previously, I obtained an MPhil in Human Evolutionary Studies from the University of Cambridge (UK) and a BA in Archaeology and Anthropology from University College London (UK).

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Main Publications

Cebeiro, A., September, J., Blignaut, T., Mostert, L., Dekker, L., Wentzel-Currie, I., Jonck, V., Hamid, O., and Pargeter, J., (2026). Stone tool use in a new population of semi-free-ranging robust capuchins (Sapajus spp.) at Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, South Africa. Primates.
Eren, M. I., Lycett, S. J., Bebber, M. R., Key, A., Buchanan, B., Benson, J., Biermann Gürbüz, R., Cebeiro, A., Finestone, E., Garba, R., Grunow, A., Lovejoy, C. O., MacDonald, D., Maletic, E., Miller, G. L., Ortiz, J. D., Paige, J., Pargeter, J., Proffitt, T., Raghanti, M. A., Riley, T., Rose, J. I., Singer, D., Walker, R. S., (2025). What can lithics tell us about hominin technology’s ‘primordial soup’? An origin of stone knapping via the emulation of Mother Nature. Archaeometry.
Key, A., Clark, J., Lauer, T., Bates, J., Nichols, C., Proffitt, T., Martín-Ramos, C., Cebeiro, A., Williams, E., Kim. S., Stileman, F., Mika, A., Pope, M., Leonardi, M., Smith, G., Skinner, M., (2025). Hominin glacial-stage occupation 712,000 to 424,000 years ago at Old Park (Canterbury, UK). Nature Ecology & Evolution.
Pargeter, J., Cebeiro, A., and Levy, S. B. (2024). Stone toolmaking energy expenditure differs between novice and expert toolmakers. American Journal of Biological Anthropology, e25026.
Cebeiro, A., and Key, A. (2023). Captive bonobos (Pan paniscus) apply precision grips when using flaked stone tools. American Journal of Biological Anthropology, 183(3), e24759.

Main Papers Presented

Cebeiro, A., September, J., Slack, A., Bell, E., Iturrate, I., Blignaut, T., Mostert, L., Dekker, L., Wentzel-Currie, I., Jonck, V., Hamid, O., Pargeter. J. (2025). “Nut-Cracking Efficiency in Capuchins: Implications for Primate Technological Evolution.” 27th Biennial Meeting of the Society of Africanist Archaeologists (SAfA). Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
Cebeiro, A. (2025). “Hard to handle: manual proportions and tool use in monkeys.” 94th American Association of Biological Anthropologists (AABA) Meeting. Baltimore, USA.
Pargeter, J., Cebeiro, A., and Shukman, S. (2023). “Revisiting bipolar technology’s African distribution and diversity.” 89th Society for American Archaeologists (SAA) Meeting. New Orleans, USA.
Cebeiro, A., Neufuss, J., Wittig, R. M., Carvalho, S., Malherbe, M., Lemoine, S., Berdugo, S., Schofield, D., and Key, A. (2023). “In the palm of our…or their hand? A comparative analysis of Pan and human grips during percussive activities.” Paleoanthropology Society Meeting. Portland, USA.

Invited Talks

Cebeiro, A. “Individual variation and technical skill in capuchin tool use and their implications for human evolution,” Universidade do Algarve, Interdisciplinary Center for Archaeology and the Evolution of Human Behavior (ICArEHB). (July 21st, 2026).
Cebeiro, A. “What monkeys tell us about the origins of technology in human evolution.” University of Cape Town, Department of Archaeology. (July 29th, 2024).

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