Dr Riaan Rifkin
Work and Research
I am an anthropologist and prehistoric archaeologist fascinated by the origins of human disease vectors and pathogens. My research at the CMEG involves a pioneering palaeopathological project anticipated to transform current understandings of the influence of vector-borne disease pathogens on the cultural and biological evolution of Homo sapiens in southern Africa. My primary objective is to reconstruct the original human disease condition - the ‘Pleistocene disease baseline’ - preceding the exodus of our species from Africa after 60 000 years ago.
Fields Of Expertise
Prehistoric Archaeology
Anthropology