A5027439376- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
- Archaeology and Rock Art Studies
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- African history and culture analysis
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
- Ancient Egypt and Archaeology
- Agriculture and Rural Development Research
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Marine and environmental studies
- Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies
- Archaeological Research and Protection
- Archaeology and Historical Studies
- Soil erosion and sediment transport
- Ancient Near East History
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Banana Cultivation and Research
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Biodiversity
U.S. National Science Foundation
2024
Research Experiences for Undergraduates
2024
Addis Ababa University
2011-2023
University of Utah
2009
Max Planck Society
2006-2007
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
2005-2007
Studies of early human settlement in alpine environments provide insights into physiological, genetic, and cultural adaptation potentials. Although Late even Middle Pleistocene presence has been recently documented on the Tibetan Plateau, little is known regarding nature context persistent high elevations. Here, we report earliest evidence a prehistoric high-altitude residential site. Located Africa's largest ecosystem, repeated occupation Fincha Habera rock shelter dated to 47 31 thousand...
Projectile weapons (i.e. those delivered from a distance) enhanced prehistoric hunting efficiency by enabling higher impact delivery and of broader range animals while reducing confrontations with dangerous prey species. Projectiles therefore provided significant advantage over thrusting spears. Composite projectile technologies are considered indicative complex behavior pivotal to the successful spread Homo sapiens. Direct evidence for such projectiles is thus far unknown >80,000 years ago....
Obsidian geochemical analysis has become an indispensable tool in archaeological research and wide applications. However, spite of the abundance geological obsidian, there been virtually no such investigation Ethiopia. Recent instrumental characterization 31 obsidian artefacts from Middle Stone Age site Porc Epic numerous sources show that were being transported as far 250 km away. We believe this relevance to understanding emergence modern human behaviour.
Recent investigation of the geochemical provenance obsidian artefacts from spatially and temporally variable archaeological sites in Ethiopia has shown diversity geological sources concomitant differences transport raw material to sites, thus allowing reconstruction utilization by early hominids as well recent humans. We recognize 30 compositionally different obsidians that were used at Middle Stone Age (MSA) Aduma (A8), Halibee Herto, Aladi Springs Porc Epic Awash region. Probable nine...
The site of Aladi Springs was discovered and excavated in the 1970s. However, assemblages from this did not subsequently receive full investigation. Here, we present results first exhaustive analysis lithic collections both Middle Later Stone Age (MSA/LSA) occupation horizons at site. Detailed metric non-metric attributes reveals a marked variability production techniques overall size major tool classes, with dimensional diminution evident across these occupations. utilisation patterns...
The extent of reduction in retouched stones serves as a proxy for curation. In the archaeological record, intensity must be inferred from discarded remnants tools. contemporary use scraper blades by hideworkers southern Ethiopia provides archaeologists rare opportunities where original tool dimensions can directly measured and other variables investigated. This study closely examines previously suggested factors inter-group variability degree hidescraper curation amongst Hadiya. Potential...
The Gademotta/Kulkuletti sites, located in the central part of Main Ethiopian Rift Valley, represent earliest Middle Stone Age (MSA) sequences country. Here we present geochemical provenance obsidian archaeological artefact recovered through excavation at site. artefacts and source materials were characterized by EDXRF electron microprobe. Results show that procured from two sources, one local, presumably more distant, implying despite local availability good quality raw material, not all...
It is generally agreed that Ethiopia one of the world’s primary centers prehistoric plant domestication. also known domestic fauna (cattle and caprines) were brought in from outside. Unfortunately, very few Holocene archaeological sequences have been excavated Horn. Even fewer sites yielded dating to > 3000 years ago. The excavations at site Danei Kawlos northern provide new for Northern document presence cattle, sheep goat with a direct date 3358 ± 47 BP on Bos molar. We discuss here...
Abstract Obsidian archaeological artifacts from the Holocene occupation sequences at contemporary sites of Mochena Borago and Yabello, southern Ethiopia, have been characterized using electron microprobe analysis. Results show each site were partially procured two separate but known sources, Bantu Chebe. The inhabitants both also seem to used obsidian another, as yet unknown, source. This is interesting pursued different life ways: one entirely dependent on wild animals other incorporating...
In Ethiopia, obsidian is mainly found in the Afar Depression and Main Ethiopian Rift. The compositional petrological features of these obsidians vary. Some volcanic centers show that varying eruptions from a single center may not necessarily imply variable chemistry. Obsidian has been dated using K/Ar, Ar/Ar, fission track methods to determine time eruption but there are also few dates on artifacts by hydration dating establish tool manufacture. Many geological sources were utilized...
ABSTRACT Obsidian is abundant in the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER). Petrological and geochemical features of obsidian from four volcanic centers MER, namely Birenti, Dofen, Fentale Kone, are presented. Compositional petrological variability noted among Dofen obsidian, but not those Kone Birenti where each have separate uniform elemental composition. The were source materials for artifacts a number Middle Stone Age Later Age/Neolithic sites region. We yet to determine whether sources...
Abstract Two new rock art sites in Irob district of eastern Tigrai, northern Ethiopia, are presented. One the sites, Ra Bolo, contains images domestic cattle and human figures while other, Adhay appears to contain only caprines, example such a scene not just region but all Ethiopia. The fit well with already established Ethiopian assemblage paintings engravings. belong earliest phase Ethio-Arabian “Surre-Hanakiya” style, an attribution which is supported by other types archaeological data....