Prof. Ruth Shahack-Gross conducts multi-disciplinary research that bridges the natural sciences and the humanities. Having B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in geology as well as M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in archaeology, Ruth’s research focus is termed ‘geo-archaeology’. In the framework of the Department of Maritime Civilizations, Ruth focuses on the study of subsistence economy and processes of adaptation to the Carmel coast environment by Neolithic to Early Bronze Age I populations, a time span between about 9-5500 years ago. Her research includes supervising students towards their M.A. and Ph.D. degrees, coastal and underwater excavations, and analysis of the finds in the Laboratory for sedimentary archaeology that she is heading. The research is done with partner researchers from variable academic fields in both the natural sciences and archaeology, including analysis of flint tool assemblages, of pottery assemblages, of animal bones, of plant remains, and more. In her own laboratory, research focuses on the characterization and interpretation of microscopic remains left after human activity that is found in the deposits (the sediment matrix) that compose archaeological sites.

E-mail: rgross@univ.haifa.ac.il