Irini Sifogeorgakis
PhD candidate / guest
- Name
- Dr. E. Sifogeorgakis
- Telephone
- +31 71 527 2727
- e.sifogeorgakis@arch.leidenuniv.nl
Irini Sifogeorgaki is conducting geoarchaeological research within the “Finding resolution for the Middle to Later Stone Age transition in South Africa” project, focusing on determining Site Formation Processes of the Shongweni and Umhlatuzana rock shelters.
More information about Irini Sifogeorgakis
News
PhD supervisors
Office days
Monday to Friday
Research
Irini Sifogeorgaki is conducting geoarchaeological research within the “Finding resolution for the Middle to Later Stone Age transition in South Africa” project, focusing on determining Site Formation Processes of the Shongweni and Umhlatuzana rock shelters.
Her study will address scientific debates about the South African Stone Age and generate knowledge on global climate fluctuations during the Pleistocene and their regional expressions. To proceed with the geoarchaeological assessments, micromorphological analysis will be combined with micro stratigraphic bulk sediment analysis (pH, MMA, granulometry, LoI, Ph presence, Carbonate presence), OSL sampling, Carbon Dating and Light Stable Isotope Analysis.
The research will target various types of occupational information, stratigraphic and sedimentological irregularities, examination of minerals to determine diagenetic situation and study of sediment origin within the landscape.
Teaching activities
In terms of teaching, Irini has been assisting various classes related to geoarchaeology, landscape dynamics, and fieldwork strategies. It is her ambition to develop a geoarchaeology course within the Faculty of Archaeology.
Curriculum vitae
Irini Sifogeorgaki has a strong background in geoarchaeology with an MSc degree in Environmental Archaeology (University College London) and a BSc in Geology and Geoenvironment (University of Athens), both of which were granted to her with first class honors.
For her MSc project, she performed a Geoarchaeological Assessment of the Landscape Evolution of Tierra Del Fuego, Patagonia using Micromorphological Analysis which enhanced her knowledge on the environmental control on past human behaviors and the global climate fluctuations during the Pleistocene. On course of her undergraduate studies, she was able to develop a broad understanding of natural dynamics. She conducted her BSc thesis entitled Sedimentological Studies and Paleoenvironmental Observations on Sediments of the Marathousa Formation, Megalopolis Basin, Greece in which she applied sedimentological analytical techniques (bulk sediment analysis, SEM, XRD) combined with microscopic observations on the palaeoflora and palaeofauna.
In addition to her academic training, she has acquired a significant amount of archaeological field experience and has attended various workshops, training courses and seminars.
PhD candidate / guest
- Faculteit Archeologie
- World Archaeology
- Human Origins
- Sifogeorgaki I, Huisman H., Karkanas P., Schmid V.C. & Dusseldorp G.L. (2024), Sand, hearths, lithics and a bit of bioturbation: Site formation processes at Umhlatuzana rockshelter, South Africa, Geoarchaeology 39(3): 212-237.
- Sifogeorgaki E. (13 December 2023), Context is key: geoarchaeological investigations of Middle and Later Stone Age rockshelter deposits in southern Africa (Dissertatie, Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University). Supervisor(s) and Co-supervisor(s): Roebroeks W. & Huisman D.J., Dusseldorp G.L.
- Sifogeorgakis E., Schmid V., Van Os B., Fratta V., Huisman H. & Dusseldorp G.L. (2023), Two methods on one stone: integrating visual and analytical techniques to clarify lithic raw material utilization in the Middle and Later Stone Age at Umhlatuzana rockshelter (South Africa), Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 48: 103890.
- Dusseldorp G.L., Carr A., Sifogeorgaki E., Os B. van & Schmid V. (2023), Umhlatuzana rockshelter through time: new research into the MSA-LSA transition in South Africa. Palaeoanthropology Society Annual Meeting 28 March 2023 - 29 March 2023.
- Schmid V., Sifogeorgaki E. & Dusseldorp G.L. (2022), The sequence of Umhlatuzana rock shelter (South Africa) revealing diachronic technological changes and regional cultural developments. 16th Congress of the PanAfrican Archaeological Association of Prehistory and Related Studies 7 August 2022 - 12 September 2022.
- Sifogeorgaki I., Schmid V., Van Os B. & Dusseldorp G.L. (2022), Lithic raw material selection patterns during the MSA-LSA transition of southern Africa: the case study of Umhlatuzana rockshelter. 16th Congress of the PanAfrican Archaeological Association of Prehistory and Related Studies 7 August 2022 - 12 September 2022.
- Sifogeorgaki I. & Dusseldorp G.L. (2022), True colours: analysing apparent sedimentary divisions in the stratigraphic sequence of Umhlatuzana rockshelter (South Africa) using Munsell-based colour determinations, Southern African Field Archaeology 1: 1329.
- Dusseldorp G.L., Carr A., Sifogeorgaki I., Van Os B. & Schmid V.C. (2022), Umhlatuzana rockshelter through time: new luminescence dating results. 16th Congress of the PanAfrican Archaeological Association of Prehistory and Related Studies 7 August 2022 - 12 September 2022.
- Dusseldorp G.L., Schmid V. & Sifogeorgaki E. (8 April 2022), New excavations at Umhlatuzana rockshelter, initial results: and some thoughts regarding Homo naledi (Lecture) Anthro Talks Rutgers.
- Murungi M., Esteban I., Sifogeorgakis E. & Dusseldorp G.L. (2021), Taphonomy, environment or human plant exploitation strategies?: Deciphering changes in Pleistocene-Holocene plant representation at Umhlatuzana rockshelter, South Africa.
- Sifogeorgaki I., Os B. van, Fratta V., Huisman H. & Dusseldorp G.L. (2021), Past and present: raw material identification approaches at Umhlatuzana rockshelter, South Africa. Archon Day, Amsterdam. 29 October 2021 - 29 October 2021. [conference poster].
- Sifogeorgaki I., Os B.J.H van, Fratta V., Huisman D.J. & Dusseldorp G.L. (2021), Past and present: raw material identification approaches at Umhlatuzana rockshelter, South Africa. Rock 'n Roll: International Symposium on Knappable Materials, Taragona. 4 October 2021 - 7 November 2021. [conference poster].
- Reidsma F.H., Sifogeorgaki I., Dinckal A., Huisman H., Sier M.J., Os B. van & Dusseldorp G.L. (2021), Making the invisible stratigraphy visible: a grid-based, multi-proxy geoarchaeological study of Umhlatuzana Rockshelter, South Africa, Frontiers in Earth Science 9: 664105.
- Reidsma F.H., Sifogeorgaki I, Dinckal A., Huisman D.J, Sier M.J., Os B. van & Dusseldorp G.L. (2021), Integrating geoarchaeological techniques to reveal the invisible stratigraphy at Umhlatuzana rockshelter, South Africa: a grid-based approach. Developing International Geoarchaeology, Faro. 17 May 2021 - 19 May 2021. [conference poster].
- Sifogeorgakis E., Klinkenberg M.V., Esteban I., Murungi M., Carr A.S., Brink V.B. van den & Dusseldorp G.L. (2020), New excavations at Umhlatuzana Rockshelter, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a stratigraphic and taphonomic evaluation, African Archaeological Review 37(4): 551-578.
- Dusseldorp G.L. Sifogeorgakis E. (2020), Excavations at Umhlatuzana rockshelter: SASQUA, Southern African Society for Quaternary Research Newsletter : .
- Sifogeorgakis I. & Dusseldorp G.L. (2019), Revisiting Umhlatuzana rockshelter, KwaZulu-Natal: First results and perspectives of a geoarchaeological study. ASAPA conference, Kimberley. 3 July 2019 - 5 July 2019. [conference poster].
- Sifogeorgakis I. & Dusseldorp G.L. (2019), Stratigraphic assessment of Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter, South Africa. Developing International Geoarchaeology 2019, Vancouver. 17 June 2019 - 21 June 2019. [conference poster].
- Sifogeorgakis I. & Dusseldorp G.L. (2019), Revisiting Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter, South Africa: First geoarchaeological results. ESHE, Liège. 19 September 2019 - 21 September 2019. [conference poster].