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Gideon Hartman is an Associate Professor in the Anthropology Department at the University of Connecticut, where he conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of paleoenvironmental reconstruction, plant and animal eco-physiology, anthropology, and archaeology. His work primarily employs stable isotope methods to reconstruct past environments, human mobility patterns, paleodiets, and ancient economic systems. Dr. Hartman received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 2008. His educational foundation in anthropology and archaeological science has enabled his innovative approach to stable isotope analysis. Rather than treating isotopic values as static markers, he investigates the mechanisms causing variability in stable isotope ratios as they move along foodwebs from soil and atmosphere to plants and then to animals and humans. Hartman's research program uniquely begins in the contemporary world to establish principles that can be reliably applied to archaeological settings. His work spans diverse geographical regions including the Eastern Mediterranean, Levant, Jordan Valley, and Armenian Highlands, with temporal coverage from the Middle Pleistocene to the Early Bronze Age. He has made significant contributions to understanding how environmental factors like water availability, temperature, and soil conditions affect isotopic signatures in modern ecosystems, creating robust models for archaeological interpretation. His publication record demonstrates consistent productivity in high-impact journals, with research trends showing increasing sophistication in multi-isotope approaches applied to complex archaeological questions about pastoralism, trade networks, human migration, and human-environment interactions. His work increasingly integrates zooarchaeological, archaeobotanical, and geochemical evidence to build comprehensive pictures of past societies. As director of the Stable Isotope Preparation Lab at UConn, Hartman leads a research team that processes and analyzes samples from archaeological sites worldwide. His laboratory serves as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration between archaeologists, anthropologists, geoscientists, and biologists seeking to apply isotopic methods to their research questions. His work has been instrumental in refining methodologies for interpreting strontium, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen isotope data in archaeological contexts, particularly regarding animal and human mobility patterns in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

• Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction
• Stable Isotope Analysis
• Archaeology
• +6 more

Lisa Maher is a faculty member in the Department of Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley, since 2012. She directs the Geoarchaeology and Southwest Asia Prehistory Laboratory, serves as Curator of Lithic Collections at the Hearst Museum of Anthropology, and is affiliated with the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Center for European Studies, and the University of Toronto’s Archaeology Center. Education: PhD in Anthropology from the University of Toronto (2005) Postdoctoral: Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada Postdoctoral Fellow (2005-2007), Arts and Humanities Research Council of Britain-funded Research Associate (2007-2011) Her research investigates Late Pleistocene hunter-gatherer societies in the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa, focusing on human-environment interactions, transitions to food production, and landscape archaeology. She explores how climate change, technological innovation, and social networks influenced sedentism, population aggregation, and mortuary practices through material culture analysis. Lisa’s recent publications address meat preservation techniques (2019), hut structures in Southwest Asia and Europe (2019), phytolith evidence for Neolithization (2016), and environmental dynamics in the Levant (2016). These works highlight her expertise in geoarchaeology, lithic analysis, and climate-society linkages over 20,000+ years. Scientific Awards: Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada Postdoctoral Fellow (2005-2007) Arts and Humanities Research Council of Britain-funded Research Associate (2007-2011) Lisa collaborates with institutions like the University of Toronto, University of Tulsa, and UNLV on projects in Jordan, Cyprus, and Hawaii. She contributes geoarchaeological expertise to regional studies in the Levant, Iran, and Kurdistan, emphasizing interdisciplinary methods and long-term landscape change.

• Lithic Analysis
• Geoarchaeology
• Prehistory
• +6 more

Dr. James Blinkhorn serves as Fieldwork Director of the aWARE Project within the Pan African Evolution Research Group at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena, Germany. His research spans across West Africa and South Asia, with fieldwork conducted in Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal, India, and Sri Lanka, focusing on Stone Age sites in diverse ecological settings from rainforests to deserts. Dr. Blinkhorn's research interests center on Palaeolithic archaeology, human evolution, and environmental influences on hominin dispersals. His work examines how early humans adapted to varied landscapes, from the tropical rainforests of Sri Lanka to the arid environments of the Thar Desert. He has made significant contributions to understanding microlith technology, hafting origins, and the relationship between environmental change and cultural innovation during the Late Pleistocene. His publication record reveals a strong focus on comparative studies of Stone Age technologies across Africa and South Asia. A notable trend in his recent work involves examining how environmental variability shaped human technological adaptations across different ecological zones, particularly investigating the relationship between monsoon dynamics and hominin occupation patterns. His research frequently employs interdisciplinary approaches, combining lithic analysis with paleoenvironmental reconstruction to understand human behavioral plasticity. Dr. Blinkhorn actively collaborates with researchers across multiple institutions, including Griffith University, University College London, and The Australian National University. His field-based research spans multiple continents, with particular emphasis on West Africa's role in human evolutionary history and South Asia's importance as a corridor for human dispersals. As Fieldwork Director of the aWARE Project, he leads a substantial research program examining Stone Age sites across four West African countries. His work has contributed to identifying the oldest Middle Stone Age occupation of coastal West Africa and documenting technological continuity in West African archaeological records that challenges simple models of human evolution.

• Palaeolithic Archaeology
• Human Evolution
• Paleoanthropology
• +5 more

Alexandra Schuh is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Human Origins at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, where she has worked since July 2023. Her research integrates evolutionary anthropology with developmental biology to investigate facial bone growth patterns across hominids. Her academic training includes a Ph.D. in Human Evolution from the Max Planck Institute (2016-2020), a Master's in Biological Anthropology and Prehistory from the University of Bordeaux (2012-2014), and a Bachelor's in Cellular Biology and Physiology from the University of Strasbourg and University of Montreal (2009-2012). She also completed a Fyssen postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Bordeaux (2022-2023). Dr. Schuh's research focuses on facial evolution , ontogeny , Neanderthal anatomy , and the cellular and genetic mechanisms of bone modelling . She employs advanced 3D imaging, geometric morphometrics, and bone histology to analyze developmental processes in human and primate facial skeletons, with particular emphasis on comparative studies between modern humans, Neanderthals, and chimpanzees. Her publication record reveals a consistent trajectory in hominid facial development research, combining microscopic bone analysis with evolutionary morphology. Key themes include the evolutionary roots of human facial gracilization, midfacial growth patterns, and the developmental integration of facial structures across ontogeny and phylogeny. Her scientific recognition includes: Fyssen Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021) Poster prize at the 1841st Annual meetings of the Anthropological Society of Paris (2016) Dr. Schuh has secured significant research funding including the FACCTS program award ($25,000, 2023) for skull evolution studies and the Grand Projet de Recherche HUMAN PAST (€5,755, 2022). She collaborates with leading researchers like Philipp Gunz and Shara Freidline on projects examining primate skull development and facial gracilization through the DevCel initiative. As an active member of the Department of Human Origins, she contributes to interdisciplinary efforts integrating developmental biology into paleoanthropological frameworks, advancing methodological approaches in fossil hominin analysis through cutting-edge imaging and morphometric techniques.

• Facial Evolution
• Ontogeny
• Neanderthals
• +4 more

Adrian Parker is a Professor of Geography at Oxford Brookes University's School of Law and Social Sciences. He holds degrees including a DPhil from the University of Oxford. His research focuses on Quaternary science, geoarchaeology, and palaeoecology across the Middle East, North Africa, Southern Africa, and southern England. Key areas include multi-proxy environmental reconstruction using phytoliths, pollen, and geochemistry, with emphasis on understanding human-environment interactions during critical climatic transitions. Dr. Parker leads the Human Origins and Palaeo Environments (HOPE) group within the Centre for Environment and Society (CES). His fieldwork spans UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Lesotho, addressing topics like Holocene socio-ecological systems, Neolithic settlement patterns, and climate change impacts. Recent projects include a £41,900 Ras al-Khaimah-funded geoheritage study and a £1,563 University of Michigan collaboration on phytolith analysis. He teaches modules on Quaternary Environmental Change and Arid Zone Environments. Professional accolades include Fellowships from the Society of Antiquaries, Royal Geographical Society, Royal Anthropological Institute, and Higher Education Academy. His advisory work includes mentoring two active PhD students: Sophie Edwards (hominoid craniodental morphology) and Kira Raith (Quaternary climate-landscape dynamics). Publications span over 40 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Quaternary Science Reviews , Scientific Reports , and Antiquity , with a focus on integrating geological and archaeological evidence to reconstruct past environments and human adaptations. His research bridges archaeology, geology, and environmental science, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding long-term socio-ecological systems.

• Quaternary Science
• Geoarchaeology
• Geomorphology
• +7 more

August (Gus) Costa is an Adjunct Lecturer in Anthropology & Earth Science at Rice University. He directs the Houston Archaeological Society (HAS) lab and collaborates with institutions like the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Whiteside Museum of Natural History. His teaching emphasizes experiential learning, with courses in Paleo-Technology , Geoarchaeology , and Paleontology . Research Focus : Costa investigates early human settlement in southern Asia, transitional lithic technology in western India, and vertebrate fossil preservation at Gopnath. His work bridges archaeology, paleontology, and earth science, with field programs identifying Ice Age fossil localities and lab revitalization projects for HAS collections. Articles Trends : His publications center on Pleistocene paleobiogeography , lithic technology , experimental archaeology , and human dispersal models . Key themes include coastal refugia, bone technology, and taphonomic processes. Scientific Awards : Fulbright Scholar Grants & Collaborations : Received teaching grants from Rice University to support interactive lessons in experimental archaeology. Collaborates with museums for exhibits like 'Scenes From The Stone Age' and events such as International Archaeology Day. Labs & Teams : As HAS lab director, he revitalized collections facilities at Rice, improving storage, labeling, and online access. Supervises the Katy Mammoth Project, providing field and lab opportunities for students.

• Human Evolution
• Prehistoric Archaeology
• Vertebrate Paleontology
• +15 more

Maxime Aubert is Professor of Archaeological Science at Griffith University, Australia, specialising in geochemical dating of early rock art and hominin fossils. He is a National Geographic Explorer and ARC Future Fellow whose discoveries have twice (2014 & 2020) been selected among the top-10 scientific breakthroughs by the journal Science . His research centres on uranium-series and other micro-analytical techniques to illuminate the timing and context of human evolution, early symbolic behaviour and the colonisation of Wallacea and Sahul. Education PhD Earth Sciences (Uranium-isotope Geochemistry), Université du Québec / INRS, 2009 Research Interests Aubert develops and applies cutting-edge geochemical methods to key questions in human evolution: Dating of Palaeolithic cave art and rock engravings Geochronology of hominin fossils and archaeological deposits Early human dispersals through Island Southeast Asia and into Australia Conservation science for Pleistocene rock-art heritage His recent publications reveal 51,200-year-old narrative art in Sulawesi, 1.04-million-year-old hominin sea-crossings to the same island, and the world’s earliest known surgical amputation (31,000 BP, Borneo), collectively reshaping global timelines of art, technology and medicine. Scientific Recognition Science journal Top-10 Scientific Breakthroughs 2014 & 2020 National Geographic Explorer ARC Future Fellowship Grants & Projects Aubert has secured > AUD 6 million in competitive funding, including ARC Discovery and Linkage projects, National Geographic grants, and industry partnerships with Google Arts & Culture. Current major projects investigate early art and occupation along the northern route to Australia, Aboriginal rock-art management in Cape York Peninsula, and the archaeology of the Great Papuan Plateau. Doctoral Supervision & Team Science He currently supervises Griffith doctoral candidates working on oxalate dating of Australian rock art and Tasmanian hand-stencil heritage, and has previously led or co-supervised PhD projects on Sulawesi underwater archaeology, Indonesian prehistoric migration, Siberian rock art, and Philippine cave archaeology. His team collaborates closely with Indonesian, Australian and European institutions, conducting large-scale field programs in Sulawesi, Borneo and Papua New Guinea.

• Archaeological Science
• Geochemistry
• Uranium-series Dating
• +5 more

Marta Arzarello is an Associate Professor in Prehistory and Protohistory at the Department of Humanistic Studies, University of Ferrara (Italy). She serves as Deputy Director of the Department of Humanistic Studies and Coordinator of the Doctorate in Human Sciences and the International Master in Quaternary and Prehistory, both funded by Erasmus Mundus. She has coordinated numerous international projects (FP7, Erasmus Mundus, CNR-CNRST) and acted as EC expert since 2011. Director of over 60 Master’s and 21 PhD theses Director of excavations at Pirro Nord and Ciota Ciara Focus on Middle/Lower Palaeolithic technology, first European peopling, island colonization, and Sahara cultures Her recent publications (2025–2024) span archaeology , anthropology , and lithic technology , addressing topics such as: Neurocranial morphology of Palaeolithic remains Lithic analysis of Lower Palaeolithic sites Diet and subsistence strategies in Palaeolithic Italy Use-wear analysis for tool functionality Early human presence in Western Europe She received the Prix Prince Rainier III de Monaco (2018) for research at Pirro Nord. Her work integrates field campaigns, experimental archaeology, and museum curation to reconstruct human behavior and environmental interactions.

• First European peopling
• Prehistory
• Excavation methods
• +4 more

Daniel Adler is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Connecticut, where he contributes significantly to Paleolithic archaeology and human evolution studies. He holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University (2002) and leads interdisciplinary research projects in the Caucasus, particularly in Georgia and Armenia. Ph.D., 2002, Harvard University His research focuses on human behavioral ecology, Neanderthal-modern human interactions, lithic technology, zooarchaeology, and the factors behind Neanderthal extinction. He has directed excavations since 1995 in Eurasia, including key projects in Georgia (Akhalkalaki, Ortvale Klde) and Armenia (Nor Geghi 1, Lusakert Cave). His work combines field surveys, excavation, and advanced analytical methods such as obsidian sourcing and tephrochronology. Recent publications reveal a strong trend in understanding Paleolithic technological organization, fire use, landscape dynamics, and chronological frameworks across the Southern Caucasus. His interdisciplinary approach integrates geochemistry, geomorphology, and lithic analysis to reconstruct hominin behavior and environmental contexts during the Middle and Upper Paleolithic periods. Daniel Adler has received no explicitly mentioned scientific awards in the provided text. He teaches courses such as ANTH 2501 (Introduction to Archaeology), ANTH 3514 (European Prehistory), ANTH 4510/5345 (The Neanderthals), and ANTH 5517 (Hunter-Gatherers Past and Present). He runs an archaeological field school in Armenia through UConn’s Office of Study Abroad, supported by the Norian Armenian Programs Committee and external funding, indicating active grant involvement and student mentorship. His research is conducted through the Paleolithic Studies Lab at UConn, where he collaborates with an international team of researchers and students on projects spanning Armenia and the broader Caucasus region.

• Palaeolithic Archaeology
• Human Evolution
• Lithic Technology
• +9 more

Dr. Rebecca Wragg Sykes is an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Cambridge and an Honorary Fellow at the University of Liverpool. She specializes in prehistoric archaeology, with a focus on Neanderthal lifeways, cognition, and material culture, as well as the history of archaeology and gender studies. PhD in Neanderthal archaeology from the University of Sheffield (2010) M.A. in Archaeology of Human Origins from the University of Southampton (2004) B.A. in Archaeology from the University of Bristol (2003) Her research spans Neanderthal technological organization, lithic analysis in the Massif Central, and the socio-political dimensions of archaeology. She co-founded the TrowelBlazers project to highlight women's contributions to geosciences and collaborates with initiatives like Breakthrough Listen. Her recent academic publications explore Neanderthal cognition, gender equity in archaeology, and the cultural implications of lithic technology. She received the PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize (2021) for her book Kindred: Neanderthal Life, Love, Death and Art , which redefines public understanding of Neanderthals. PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize (2021) Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship (2013-2015) Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (2016-2018) Dr. Sykes has advised on educational content for Dorling Kindersley and contributed to public scholarship through blogs and media outlets like The Guardian and The New York Times . She actively engages with digital humanities and interdisciplinary frameworks to reconstruct prehistoric mobility and social dynamics.

• Neanderthal Studies
• Palaeolithic Archaeology
• Lithic Technology
• +3 more

Name: Yamandu Hilbert Affiliation: Department of Palaeoanthropology, Faculty of Science, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen Research Focus: Palaeolithic and Neolithic archaeology, raw material exploitation, use-wear analysis, human-environmental interactions, lithic technology, experimental archaeology, spatial distribution of stone tools in prehistoric sites across the Near East and beyond. Education: PhD, Doctor of Philosophy (REVIVE 2013) B.A., Ur- und Frühgeschichtliche Archäologie und Archäologie des Mittelalters, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (2008) Research Trends: Analysis of Nubian Complex and bidirectional blade technology Studies on glacial refugia and human dispersals Woodworking tool functionality in South Arabia Geospatial methods for site discovery in Arabian deserts Collaborations: Co-authorships with Rose, Crassard, Parton, et al. Participation in Saudi-French Archaeological Mission Contributions to La Trobe Archaeological Research in Oman

• Palaeolithic Archaeology
• Neolithic Archaeology
• Lithic Technology
• +5 more

Dr. Hannah Rohringer (née Parow-Souchon) is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Austrian Academy of Sciences within the Research Group 'Quaternary Archaeology' since November 2022. Her academic trajectory spans European and Near Eastern institutions, with current research focused on Upper Palaeolithic settlement systems and human-environment interactions. Her educational foundation includes a BA and MA in European Archaeology (Prehistory and Early History) from the University of Cologne (2007-2013), followed by doctoral research on Levantine Upper Paleolithic settlement patterns (2014-2016). Subsequent positions included editorial work at the Rhineland Office for Archaeological Monument Preservation (2017-2019), a Glassman-Holland Research Fellowship at the WF Albright Institute (2019-2020), and postdoctoral research at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (2020-2022). Rohringer's research integrates lithic technology, behavioral ecology, and advanced spatial analysis to investigate human adaptation during the Palaeolithic. Her work emphasizes land-use processes, raw material economies, climate change responses, and social dynamics, with significant contributions to understanding the Ahmarian and Aurignacian cultures through innovative methodologies including GIS modeling and 3D reconstructions. She maintains active fieldwork in the Southern Levant and Austria through projects like Kammern-Grubgraben and Krems-Wachtberg. Her publication record reveals consistent thematic focus on lithic technological transitions, site formation processes, and human behavioral responses to environmental shifts across the Levant and Europe. Recent work demonstrates increasing methodological sophistication through quantitative approaches like Hill numbers analysis and predictive site modeling, while maintaining empirical grounding in field data from key regions including the Wadi Sabra and Petra areas. Glassman-Holland Research Fellowship (WF Albright Institute, 2019-2020) Rohringer directs multiple collaborative projects including 'Kammern-Grubgraben' examining Late Gravettian adaptations, 'Krems-Wachtberg' investigating Central European Quaternary sites, and the 'Austrian Quaternary Sites' database initiative. Her fieldwork integrates geological, environmental, and archaeological data to reconstruct paleolandscapes and human settlement systems, with particular emphasis on methodological innovation in spatial analysis and material culture studies. Her research team operates within the Austrian Academy of Sciences framework, collaborating with international institutions including Ben-Gurion University and the University of Cologne. Current projects focus on predictive modeling of Paleolithic sites, 3D reconstruction of activity areas, and database development for Quaternary archaeological sites across Austria.

• Upper Palaeolithic Archaeology
• Lithic Technology and Raw Material Studies
• Human Behavioral Ecology
• +3 more

Christine Lane is a Professor of Geography at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Corpus Christi College. She leads the Cambridge Tephra Laboratory, specializing in Quaternary geochronology and explosive volcanism. Her research focuses on climate variability, volcanic impacts, and human-environment interactions in East Africa and beyond. Education: BSc Geology (Cardiff University), MSc Quaternary Science (Royal Holloway), PhD Archaeological Science (University of Oxford). Research Interests: Tephrochronology, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, volcanic ash correlations, human evolution, and climate-driven environmental changes. She has pioneered studies on East African Rift volcanism and its effects on hominin dispersal. Key Projects: DeepCHALLA (Lake Chala sediment studies), Lake Tanganyika Drilling Project, and INTIMATE (paleoclimate synchronization). Her work integrates volcanic, archaeological, and environmental records to understand past climates and human adaptation. Awards: Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship (2012–2015). Grants & Advising: Supervises PhD students on topics like cryptotephra in Ethiopia and volcanic impacts. Secured funding from NERC, the Isaac Newton Trust, and the Cambridge Africa ALBORADA Fund. Labs/Teams: Head of the Cambridge Tephra Laboratory; collaborates with institutions worldwide on tephrochronological frameworks and interdisciplinary climate research.

• Quaternary Science
• Volcanology
• Climate Change
• +3 more

Jeremy A. Beller is a Research Fellow at the Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural and Religious Studies at the University of Bergen. His work focuses on Palaeolithic archaeology, hominin dispersals, and the interplay between geology and prehistoric human behavior. Institutional Affiliation: University of Bergen Research Focus: Human mobility, lithic analysis, and environmental constraints on prehistoric settlements Dr. Beller’s research integrates geoarchaeological methods with Palaeolithic studies to understand hominin dispersal patterns. He has published extensively on the prehistory of Jordan’s Azraq Basin and South Africa’s southern Cape region, emphasizing raw material procurement and landscape utilization. His recent publications highlight the role of wadi surveys in reconstructing Palaeolithic occupation, the significance of refugia during the Pleistocene, and the application of archaeometry to lithic artefacts. These works span field surveys, geochemical analysis, and behavioral interpretations. Dr. Beller has been funded by the Research Council of Norway (project reference 262618) and has presented his findings at international conferences including the Society for American Archaeology, European Association of Archaeologists, and SASQUA Biennial Congress.

• Palaeolithic Archaeology
• Hominin Mobility
• Prehistoric Human Behavior
• +5 more

Dr. Bo Li is a Professor at the University of Wollongong (UOW), affiliated with the School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS). He holds a PhD from The University of Hong Kong (2008) and a BSc from the University of Science and Technology of China (2003). His career includes a Vice-Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellowship at UOW (2012-2014), an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (2015-2018), and promotion to Professor in 2023. Research Interests: Dr. Li specializes in luminescence dating techniques, focusing on quartz and feldspars. His work addresses archaeological and geological questions, including human evolution, environmental changes, and methodological advancements in extending dating limits. He also investigates luminescence properties of minerals and their applications in understanding Quaternary environments. Grants & Awards: He has secured funding from the Australian Research Council, including a prestigious Future Fellowship. Recent grants include the 'Out of Africa: human prehistory in southwestern China' (2021-2025) and 'Desert People: Australian Perspectives' (2023-2028). Teaching & Supervision: Dr. Li teaches courses like EESC209 (Geochemistry, Geochronology, Geophysics) and supervises PhD students in luminescence dating applications, archaeology, and geology. He has mentored numerous researchers, including those studying Middle Palaeolithic sites in China and luminescence methodologies. Labs & Collaborations: He contributes to international collaborations, serving on editorial boards for journals like Quaternary Geochronology and Frontiers in Earth Science . His work bridges geochronology with archaeology, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches.

• Luminescence Dating
• Archaeology
• Geochronology
• +3 more