Avi Gopher
Avi Gopher is an Israeli archaeologist. He is a professor at the University of Tel Aviv. Biography Avraham (Avi) Gopher completed his B.A. at Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1978, M.A. in 1981 and PhD in 1986. He specialises in prehistoric Israel. Archaeology career Gopher's work at Qesem with Ran Barkai and Israel Hershkowitz received considerable press coverage. The team claimed to have discovered the oldest homo sapiens remains ever found at the cave near Rosh HaAyin in central Israel. Their paper, published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, states that the human teeth they discovered are between 400,000 and 200,000 years old although it was impossible to definitely identify the particular species of human. In an interview, Gopher said "they definitely leave all options open. There's been a tendency for people to get so accustomed to the "out of Africa" hypothesis that they use it exclusively and explain any finding that doesn't fit it as evidence of yet another wave of migration out of Africa." Gopher and agronomist Shahal Abbo of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have written a book that challenges the scientific consensus over the domestication of wild plants. They contend that the process of domestication was rapid, well-planned and organized, and that several plant species were domesticated in a single location. Fieldwork 1977-1980 - Excavations with Prof. Ofer Bar-Yosef and Prof. Nigel Goring-Morris of projects in the southern Sinai such as Abu Madi. 1979 - Excavations at Qadesh Barnea 3 and Negev Highlands. 1977-1979 - Excavations at Hayonim Cave, Galilee, directed by Prof. Ofer Bar-Yosef. 1980-1981 - Excavations at Nahal Issaron, Uvda Valley, co-director with Prof. Nigel Goring-Morris. 1980-1981 - Excavations at Negev Highlands Project co- director with Prof. Nigel Goring-Morris. 1982 - Excavations at Ain Qadeis, co-director with Prof. S.A. Rosen and Prof. A. N. Goring-Morris. 1980-1986 - Netiv HaGdud, West Bank, co-director with Prof. O. Bar-Yosef. 1985 - Excavations at Mujahia, Golan Heights. 1985-1989 - Excavations at the Upper Galilee Project, Horvat Galil and Nahal Betzet I. 1986-1991 - Excavations at the Wadi Qana Cave, West Bank, co-director with Dr. T. Tsuk. 1987 - Excavations at Nahal Zehora I, Menashe Heights and Wadi Rabah. 1988-1990 - Survey and excavations at Palmahim. 1991-1993 - Excavations at Nahal Poleg 18 N. 1992 - Excavations at Neve Yarak (Lod), Shephelah. 1994-1996 - Excavations at Ain Darat, Judean Desert. 1997-1999 - Excavations at Nahal Hadera V, co-director with Dr. R. Barkai. 1997-1999 - Excavations at Qumran Cave 24, West Bank. 1997-2001 - Survey and excavations in the Central Dishon Valley, co-director with Dr. R. Barkai. 2001-2010 - Excavations at Qesem Cave, co-director with Dr. R. Barkai. Published works Books Gopher, A., The flint assemblages of Munhata - final report. Les Cahiers Du Centre de Recherche Francais de Jerusalem, Vol. 4. Association Paléorient, Paris. 162 pp.; 59 Figs.; 8 Plates., 1989. Gopher, A., Arrowheads of the Neolithic Levant - A Seriation Analysis. ASOR - American Schools for Oriental Research Dissertation Series Vol. 10, Eisenbrauns, Winnona Lake, Indiana. 325