Alexander Mackay

Dr. Alexander Mackay is a Professor in the School of Earth, Atmospheric, and Life Sciences at the University of Wollongong. He holds an appointment as Principal Fellow and has previously served as Associate Professor. His research focuses on human behavioral evolution, stone tool technology, and taphonomic processes, with active field projects in southern Africa and Australia. He leads the Early Technologies Lab and coordinates the Archaeology program within the BA major. Mackay’s work integrates geoarchaeology, lithic analysis, and environmental science to explore prehistoric adaptation and innovation.

Education: Ph.D. in Archaeology & Palaeoanthropology from the Australian National University (2004–2009). Research interests span the Middle Stone Age, technological organization, and climate-human behavior interactions. He has supervised numerous PhD projects on topics such as lithic technology, environmental adaptation, and dating methods. Mackay is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Palaeolithic Archaeology and has held editorial roles with Scientific Reports and Australian Archaeology.

Recent research highlights include studies on silcrete heat treatment, strontium isoscapes for mobility, and the Middle Stone Age sequence at Klipfonteinrand 1. His work bridges archaeological theory with methodological innovation, emphasizing replicability and interdisciplinary collaboration. Grants include funding from the Australian Research Council and the Leakey Foundation for projects examining human innovation in arid environments and technological responses to climate change.