MICHAL BIRKENFELD

Senior Academic

Teaching

Spatial Archaeology and Advanced GIS Applications for Archaeologists (English)

The advanced abilities of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to host, query and analyze spatial data provide the modern archaeologist with new possibilities and new tools for archaeological spatial analysis. This course presents advanced GIS-based tools and applications for archaeological research, as well as the wider theoretical framework of Spatial Archaeology. It is run as a workshop, incorporating theoretical and practical study.

Lithic Techno-Typology (Hebrew)

Lithic tools represent one of the main (and at times – only) artefactual find in prehistoric and proto-historic sites, and our main source of information as to the human activities performed in them. This course explores the typological and technological aspects of flint tools throughout the human evolution in the southern Levant. The course provides basic skills in the analysis of lithic assemblages, from the Lower Paleolithic through the Chalcolithic periods.

Mother of all Revolutions: The Early Neolithic of the Southern Levant (Hebrew)

The Early Neolithic is one of the most substantial periods in human evolution, a period that witnessed the culmination of the Neolithization process – as human populations shifted from a mobile way of life, based on hunting and gathering, to sedentary farming communities, based on animal husbandry and plant cultivation. This course explores the archaeological record from the period in the southern Levant, discussing the social and economic process taking place in this important time frame. We discuss changes in social structure and make, diet, human-environment relations, death and burial customs, and of course, related archaeological and environmental theory.

Death and Burial in Prehistory (Hebrew), BA Seminar

The BA seminar at the Archaeology Department at BGU covers main issues and questions in the Prehistoric periods of the land of Israel. This year, the subject matter is death, burial and related ritual as seen in the archaeological record of the prehistoric periods, from the Lower Paleolithic to the Neolithic periods. These, within the theoretic framework of death and burial in archaeology and anthropology.

The Rise of Pastoralism in the Deserts of West-Asia: From Hunter-Gatherers to Herders

The Neolithic era in West-Asia (the Middle East) marks a pivotal period in human history characterized by significant shifts in economy and lifestyle. This is of course manifested mainly in the Mediterranean zones of the region. On the other hand, in the challenging environments of West Asia's deserts, these changes manifested in unique manners. This course explores the emergence and development of pastoralism in these arid landscapes during the Neolithic period. We will examine the environmental, social, and economic factors that contributed to this transformative way of life. Students will delve into archaeological findings and contemporary research to understand how early communities adapted to these harsh conditions and how they exploited them. Key themes include the domestication of sheep and goats, the evolution of nomadic lifestyles, and the possible impact of pastoralism on trade, cultural exchange and the Neolithization process. By investigating the technological innovations and social structures that supported pastoralism, participants will gain insights into the resilience of early human societies.

Remote Sensing for Archaeology

The technological advances of the recent decades have changed dramatically the way we “do” archaeology. Airborne and satellite imagery allow a plethora of new ways to record and analyze archaeological data. This course aims at a wide introduction to different methods of remote sensing and their usage in
the field of Archaeology. As we study case-studies from around the world we will explore the documentation and analysis od LiDAR technology, Multi and Hyper spectral imagery, Thermic imagery, Ground Penetrating Radar, and more.

Introduction to Prehistoric Archaeology

In this introductory course we will delve into human prehistory as it manifests in the archaeological record of Israel and the southern Levant. Starting with the Lower Palaeolithic and the arrival of the first hominids out of Africa and into Euroasia, we will explore human evolution and culture, as well as the
paleoenvironmental and geographical backdrop. We will end our journey with
the Neolithic period and the appearance of complex, settled societies.

Experimental Archaeology (BA Seminar)

Experimental archaeology is a field that seeks to understand ancient technologies and practices by recreating them. This approach involves replicating tools, structures, and processes used by past cultures to gain insights into how they lived, worked, and interacted with their environment. By experimenting with these reconstructions, archaeologists can test hypotheses about the function and effectiveness of ancient techniques, providing a practical perspective that complements traditional archaeological methods. This hands-on approach helps to fill gaps in the archaeological record and offers a deeper understanding of the daily lives of ancient peoples.

In this course we will explore the theoretical background of this approach, its history of research, the ‘do’ and ‘don’ts’ of experimental archaeology. We will learn how to plan an experiment, keep protocol and write a report. Students will take part in all stages.