Rolfe David Mandel

Rolfe David Mandel is a University Distinguished Professor at the University of Kansas, specializing in Quaternary Geology and Geoarchaeology. His work focuses on landscape evolution, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and the integration of geological and archaeological methodologies.

Research Interests:

• Geoarchaeology of prehistoric landscapes
• Quaternary climate dynamics
• Fluvial and aeolian processes
• Remote sensing applications in archaeology

Publications highlight his expertise in reconstructing Pleistocene/Holocene environmental changes in North America and globally. Notable projects include studies on the Nebraska Sand Hills, Yukon's Bluefish Caves, and extraterrestrial geoarchaeological frontiers. He also leads efforts in applying Quaternary science to cultural resource management challenges.

Teaching emphasizes geoarchaeological methods and Quaternary geology, with courses on paleoenvironmental reconstruction and geomorphology.

His work bridges geology and archaeology, addressing questions of human-environment interactions across timescales—from Paleolithic migrations to future lunar heritage preservation.