Galactic archaeology with r-process elements

Galactic archaeology studies the evolutionary histories of galaxies using information preserved in stars. Abundances of elements in stars are keys to understanding how the galaxies were evolved. It is, therefore, crucial to making it clear the origin of elements and the cycle of materials in galaxies. This talk will show the enrichment of heavy elements, including r-process elements, in dwarf galaxies and the Milky Way. Our high-resolution simulations of galaxies suggest that binary neutron star mergers play an important role in enriching r-process elements in dwarf galaxies and the Milky Way. I will also show that r-process enhanced stars in the Milky Way tend to form in dwarf galaxies previously accreted to the Milky Way. I will demonstrate that the abundance of r-process elements in stars can be used as an indicator for the early evolution of the Milky Way.