Prof.  Rivka Rabinovich

 

The research straddles the interface between zoological, geological, and humanistic studies in that it focuses on faunal remains as paleoenvironmental indicators of past human societies. Within this broad discipline, we are involved in the study of fauna from Pleistocene sites ranging in time from nearly two million years ago to the Holocene. The scope of our research encompasses the paleoecologic, taphonomic and taxonomic implications of faunal assemblages from Pleistocene sites in the southern Levant.

Together with colleagues, we guide students from archaeology and from geology as they induce new fields of study, such as virtual paleontology; research on hitherto unknown faunal records from Mongolia; applying 3D models for the interpretation of Neanderthal faunal exploitation patterns, and even the use of Ichnotaxa as a tool for reconstruction of the paleoenvironment. 

Gali Beiner, is the conservator of the National Natural History Collections and she is also leading research into better conservation protocols in the lab and in the field.

 

Research Methods

Our research uses morphological observation with quantitative methods, microscopes and CT. We use the following collections as source of comparison and research.

The Archaeozoological collections comprise hundreds of sites representing the history of the fauna from the Pliocene to the Holocene of Israel, where major events in the history of human took place, from hunting, gathering, fishing, to domestication and husbandry. The collections are open to students and researchers from all over the world.

The recent vertebrate comparative collection represents the local fauna of Israel and adjacent regions. It includes specimens of all taxa collected during the past 60 years. This collection represents populations from various regions of the country. Prof. Israel Aharoni started the collection at the beginning of the 20th century, and was in turn followed by researchers and students who collected animals for research and teaching. Rare species, extinct species, and endangered species, including type specimens, are present in the collection. 

The Paleontological collections hold an impressive body of information on the fossil records of the eastern Mediterranean, its biogeographic origins and the evolution of invertebrates and vertebrates.

 We enlarge these collections through the research of our groups including survey and excavations.

Research Students 

Steiner, T. Doctoral student (with Prof. G. Shelah HUJI). 

Jallon. A., Doctoral student (with Prof. E. Hovers, HUJI)

Nikolskaia, P. Doctoral student

Frish, A. MA. students (with Prof. Y. Garfinkel HUJI).

Friedman, R. MSc. student (with Drs. A. Muskin and R. Calvo, Geological Survey Israel). 

 

Contact Information 

Rivka Rabinovich | rivkar@mail.huji.ac.il | Giveat Ram, Berman building, Floor -1 | Institute of Earth Sciences, south wing, Floor 0, room 12. 

Gali Beiner - Lab Manager | gali.beiner@mail.huji.ac.il