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Human evolution consists of both biological and cultural changes and developments.

Our biohistory and evolutionary medicine laboratory has two main fields of interest:
 

  • The study of the compromises between the desired human anatomical design and the realistic design developed during evolution. This compromise brings forth trade-offs between different anatomical structures during an evolutionary process of adaptation, and has an impact on modern human health.
     

  • Reconstruction of ancient populations' daily life, based on their skeletal remains.

BIOHISTORY RESEARCH

Biohistorical studies of ancient populations are based on both morphological and molecular (ancient DNA) methods.
 

Reconstructing past populations' daily life is based on understanding division of labor, social stratification, intensity of physical activities, health, nutrition, and demography (sex ratio, mortality, family size, etc.).

Evolutionary medicine studies search for evolutionary explanations for common diseases found in modern human populations.

We estimate the costs and benefits behind anatomical changes which occurred throughout evolution in order to better understand how compromised designs are developed, and the possibility of pathological outcomes.

EVOLUTIONARY MEDICINE

CT scan reconstruction of an Egyptian mummy in extended supine position with crossed arms
The cover of Science magazine displaying fossilized skull remains with a hyperlink to the article titled "A Middle Pleistocene Homo from Nesher Ramla, Israel."
Head CT scan displaying three skulls with varying severities of hyperostosis frontalis interna
Anterior view of mandible
Scan of a humerus with one cross-sectional slice
3D reconstruction of proximal femur with fracture
Scan of a femur with three cross-sectional slices
Magnified image of the inner ear, with a hyperlink leading to the article "Ear infection prevalence in prehistoric and historic populations of the southern Levant: A new diagnostic method"
Cross-sections of three areas of the femur (bottom) with adjacent muscles (top)
WhatsApp Image 2020-09-08 at 13.47.46.jp
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