Barbara E. Barich

Barbara E. Barich was formerly professor of African Ethnography and Prehistory at La Sapienza University in Rome (1994-2012). She has led long-term archaeological projects in Libya (Tadrart Akakus, Jebel Gharbi-Nefusa) and Egypt (Farafra Oasis), with fieldwork in Sudan, Gilf El Kebir in Egypt, and Ivory Coast. Her multi disciplinary research focuses on early ceramic societies of North Africa and the Sahara, the origins of food production, and Saharan Neolithic development. She has held prominent international leadership roles, including President of the International Academy of Prehistory and Protohistory (elected May 2025) and interim President of the UISPP (2023-2024), where she also chaired the Saharan Art and Civilisation Commission for many years.