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My current work aims to describe the human behaviour behind some of the most significant transitions in human cultural evolution. I combine field archaeology, marine archaeology and micro-archaeology to generate fine-grained data on human-environment dynamics and their implications for cultural innovation (see for example my main project BEFOREtheFLOOD).
My current work aims to describe the human behaviour behind some of the most significant transitions in human cultural evolution. I combine field archaeology, marine archaeology and micro-archaeology to generate fine-grained data on human-environment dynamics and their implications for cultural innovation (see for example my main project BEFOREtheFLOOD).
I am especially interested in studying the relations between cultural transitions and environmental changes in climate and landscapes. To do so, an important part of my research is dedicated to exploring sites’ micro-stratigraphy in order to fine-tune their chronological framework, detect episodes of human activity represented by microscopic layers and better associate these with wider environmental conditions. This approach helps to frame human behaviour as part of a dynamic system of human-environment interactions.
I am especially interested in studying the relations between cultural transitions and environmental changes in climate and landscapes. To do so, an important part of my research is dedicated to exploring sites’ micro-stratigraphy in order to fine-tune their chronological framework, detect episodes of human activity represented by microscopic layers and better associate these with wider environmental conditions. This approach helps to frame human behaviour as part of a dynamic system of human-environment interactions.
In the laboratory, I analyse archaeological samples including sediments, rocks, bones, construction materials and botanical residues (e.g., phytoliths, charcoal, wood ash and dung remains) through quantitative microscopy, micromorphology, geochemistry and spatial analysis.
In the laboratory, I analyse archaeological samples including sediments, rocks, bones, construction materials and botanical residues (e.g., phytoliths, charcoal, wood ash and dung remains) through quantitative microscopy, micromorphology, geochemistry and spatial analysis.
My main research themes:
My main research themes:
1) The emergence of complex societies
1) The emergence of complex societies
My work at Terminal Pleistocene and Early Holocene sites seek to trace links between environmental changes and social and ecological transitions that gave rise to more complex forms of societies. The goal of my work is to understand the social and ecological traits that evolved as part of the prelude to the emergence of complex societies and the origin of agriculture, animal management and eventually urbanism.
My main projects are:
The Domestication of the Environment: The Epipalaeolithic roots of Neolithization
BEFOREtheFLOOD: Neolithic coastal settlements and responses to environmental dynamics
Chalcolithic Village Ecology: High resolution study of society, economy and ecology duirng the Chalcolithic period
2) Early human dispersal and adaptation during the Late Pleistocene
2) Early human dispersal and adaptation during the Late Pleistocene
I investigate adaptive strategies that early humans developed during the Late Pleistocene which allowed them to successfully inhabit new territories and adapt to changing environments as they went out of Africa and across Asia into Europe and Australia. I work at Middle and Upper Palaeolithic sites in Southwest Asia, dating between 250,000 and 20,000 years ago, and in some of the earliest sites in Australia, dating between c. 50,000 and 10,000 years ago. I explore the developments in the ways humans used plants, earthy materials, animals and fire in the process of modifying their habitation sites and landscape. This part of my research focuses on the dynamics between environmental changes and the evolution of modern human behaviour.
3) Mediterranean Environmental History
3) Mediterranean Environmental History
As the head of the Environmental Micro-History (EMH) Lab I study I am especially interested in the historic role of cultural connections and networks and how these influenced and were affected by natural processes. I engage in theoretical conceptualization as well as in field research and re-examination of historical primary resources.
My main projects are:
Relational Ecology: A Socio-Ecological Approach to Mediterranean Environmental History based on Social Anthropology and Ecological theory
First Encounters: The Ancient Mediterranean Sea as a cultural bridge and barrier
From Murex to Fabric: Revisiting the Mediterranean Purple
Ancient Indo-Mediterranean Connections: Exploring the South Indian evidence
List of sites:
(ordered chronologically) List of sites:
Tabun Cave - A recognized UNESCO world heritage site with an exceptional sequence of occupation covering the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic periods, where remains of both Neanderthals and early Anatomically Modern Humans were found.
Hayonim Cave - A key site for the study of the Palaeolithic period in Southwest Asia with a sequence of human activity from the Lower and MIddle Palaeolithic to the Epipalaeolithic periods.
Nesher Ramla Quarry - A Middle Palaeolithic open-air site with rich Mousterian industry, faunal remains and evidence of the use of fire.
Shovakh Cave - A Late Middle Palaeolithic site with Mousterian industry and remains of Neanderthal occupation.
Shanidar Cave - A famous Palaeolithic cave site in Kurdistan known for its evidence of Neanderthal activity adn burials dated to the late Middle Palaeolithic.
Sefunim Cave - A Middle and Upper Palaeolithic site with rich Levantine Aurignacian assemblages.
Shualim rockshelter - The site located in the Negev desert shows evidence for the transition between the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic techno-complexes.
Nahal Rahaf - An Upper Palaeolithic rock-shelter located in the Judean Desert showing evidence for use of fire and exploitation of a wide variety of natural resources.
Idan VII - An Epipalaeolithic sites situated on the shore of a paleo-lake at centre of the Arava Valley, found today in the Negev desert.
Ashalim - A Middle to Late Epipalaeolithic site in the Negev desert dunefield, where a rare dune-damming is associated with human activity (c. 17.5-11.2 kya).
Neve David - An Epi-Palaeolithic site with Geometric Kebaran occupation showing a hunter-gatherer campsite with distribution of flint and animals bones (c. 16 kya years ago).
Eynan-Mallaha - An important Natufian site at the Hula valley showing evidence for one of the earliest sedentary settlements.
El-Wad Terrace - An early Natufian site with well preserved fauna, rich flint industry, grinding tools, human burials and architectural remains which provide insights to the Natufian cultural innovation.
Nahal Ein Gev II - A late Natufian site presenting the very last Palaeolithic society in the Southern Levant with domestic area, a burial ground, innovative technology and rich assemblage of art objects.
Nahal Hemar - A Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPNB) cave site (10.5-8.4 Kya) in the Judean desert presenting a unique rich record of beads and evidence for a bead-making industry.
Tel Ro'im West - A Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPNB) site in the upper Jordan Valley with rich lithic and faunal assemblages, pottery remains, as well as stone architecture and human graves (c. 9-7 Kya)
Atlit-Yam - The oldest known coastal settlement in the world now submerged under the Mediterranean Sea dating to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPNB-PPNC) culture providing and extremely rich archaeological record with water wells, domestic structure and integrated marine-terrestrial economy (c. 10-8 Kya) .
Neve-Yam - A Pottery Neolithic village situated off shore the Carmel coast, with rectangular structures and a graveyard.
Ica Valley, Peru - An area with several sites dated back to the Middle Preceramic period with shell midden sites and habitation sites presenting the transition to agriculture.
Shiqmim - One of the best preserved Chalcolithic sites in the Southern Levant providing a unique image into the Ghassulian village life with evidence for domestic use of space, animal husbandry and agriculture and metallurgy.
Must Farm, United-Kingdom - Known as “Britain’s Pompeii” it is one of the best-preserved Bronze Age dwellings ever found with five burnt dwellings rich in everyday life objects in a remarkable state of preservation.
Palmachim Cave - A rare burial cave dating to the 13th Century BCE showing elite burials associated with ceremonial activity.
Tel Hazor - One of the largest and most important biblical sites in the Southern Levant situated at the crossroad between the Southern Levant and Mesopotamia during the Bronze Age.
Tel Megiddo - One of the best studied biblical sites and an important urban center in the Southern Levant dating from the Chalcolithic period to late Iron Age.
Tel Dor - An important coastal urban center, known for its Phoenician culture showing evidence for Mediterranean connectivity from the Bronze Age to the Byzantine period.
Tell Shiqmona - An Iron Age site on the Carmel Coast exhibiting one of the only evidence for the industry of purple dye production using Murex shells.
Kh. es-Suwweida - An Iron Age fortress located in an important passage between the Carmel coast and the inland during the Phoenician period.
Nahal Omer - A waystation on the ancient Silk Road in the Southern Levant dating to early Islamic period (6th-8th centuries CE) with a striking amount of organic materials such as basketry, ropes, date palm, papyri fragments, leather artifacts and thousands of textiles.
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