Dr. Ralf Vogelsang
Research Associate
Bernhard-Feilchenfeld Str. 11
50969 Cologne
Room 6.310 (6th Floor)
Phone: +49 221 470 6795
Email: r.vogelsang
uni-koeln.de
ORCID: 0000-0001-7280-5324
For more than 30 years, my passion is the archaeology of Africa. My archaeological fieldwork in Namibia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia covered sites from all prehistoric phases, from the earliest stone tools to historical settlement places. However, my special interest are the Palaeolithic periods of Africa, particular the interaction of the early modern humans and their environment. Therefore, interdisciplinary work, in particular with geo-sciences, is of great importance for my research.
Consultation hours
By appointment
Current Projects
- FOR 2358: Mountain Exile Hypothesis: How humans benefited from and re-shaped African high altitude ecosystems during Quarternary climatic changes
- Project P1: When did humans conquer high mountains? – The making of a tropical alpine environment.
Research Interests
- Palaeolithic Archaeology
- African prehistory
- Lithic analysis
- Early modern humans
- Rock art
- High altitude regions
- Human-environment interactions
CV
Education
1983 -1993
Study of Prehistoric Archaeology, Cultural Anthropology and Geology at the University of Cologne.
1990
Master of Philosophy. MA Thesis: "Apollo 11" - eine Middle Stone Age Stratigraphie im Südwesten Namibias.
1993
Doctor of Philosophy PhD Thesis: Middle-Stone-Age-Fundstellen im Südwesten Namibias.
Employment
Seit 2009
Senior researcher at the Palaeolithic Research Unit (FAST), Institute of Prehistoric Archaeology, University of Cologne.
2008
Senior researcher at the DFG project: New ages for the Middle Stone Age at Apollo 11, Namibia.
1998 – 2007
Senior researcher at the multidisciplinary collaborative research centre SFB 389: “Arid climate, adaptation and cultural innovation in Africa” at the University of Cologne.
1993 – 1997
Senior researcher at the multidisciplinary collaborative research centre SFB 268: “History of culture and language in the natural environment of the West-African savannah” at the J.W. Goethe University, Frankfurt.
1991 – 1993
Research assistant at the Institute for African Archaeology, Department of Prehistory, University of Cologne in co-operation with the National Monuments Council in Windhoek, Namibia.
1985 – 1990
Laboratory assistant at the Radiocarbon laboratory, Department of Prehistory, University of Cologne.
Memberships
Society of Africanist Archaeologist (SAfA)
Eastern African Association for Palaeoanthropology and Palaeontology (EAAPP)
PanAfrican Archaeological Association (PAAA)
Hugo Obermaier-Gesellschaft für Erforschung des Eiszeitalters und der Steinzeit e.V.
Centre of Quaternary Science & Geoarchaeology (QSGA)
Books and Edited Volumes
2011
R. Vogelsang & B. Eichhorn (2011) Under the Mopane Tree. Africa Praehistorica 24, Köln, 2011.
2007
M. Bollig, O. Bubenzer, R. Vogelsang & H.P. Wotzka (Hrsg.) (2007) Aridity, Change and Conflict in Africa. Colloquium Africanum 2. Heinrich-Barth-Institut, Köln.
1998
Vogelsang, R. (1998) Middle-Stone-Age-Fundstellen in Südwest-Namibia. Africa Praehistorica 11, Köln, 1998.
Contributions
2021
R. Vogelsang (2021) The role of tropical highlands in the dispersal of Homo sapiens. In: T. Litt, J. Richter & F. Schäbitz (Hrsg.) The Journey of Modern Humans from Africa to Europe. Culture-Environmental Interaction and Mobility. E. Schweitzerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart: 22-30.
2017
R. Vogelsang (2017) The excavation of Stone Age sites. In: A. Livingstone Smith, E. Cornelissen, O. P. Gosselain, S. MacEachern (Hrsg.): Field Manual for African Archaeology. Edition: Online Series 'Documents on Social Science and Humanities' Tervuren: 105-109.
2009
J. Peters, J., Dieckmann, U. & R. Vogelsang (2009) Losing the spoor: Hai||om animal exploitation in the Etosha region. Documenta Archaeobiologicae 7, Rahden/Westf.: 103-185.
2007
B. Eichhorn & R. Vogelsang (2007) A pristine landscape? Archaeological and archaeobotanical research in the Skeleton Coast Park, northwestern Namibia. In: M. Bollig, O. Bubenzer, R. Vogelsang & H.P. Wotzka (Hrsg.) Aridity, Change and Conflict in Africa. Colloquium Africanum 2. Heinrich-Barth-Institut, Köln: 145-168.
2002
R. Vogelsang (2002): Rock Art in the Kaokoland? In: Jennerstrasse 8 (Hrsg.) Tides of the Desert – Gezeiten der Wüste. Contributions to the Archaeology and Environmental History of Africa in Honour of Rudolph Kuper. Africa Praehistorica 14, Köln: 535-548.
R. Vogelsang (2002) Migration oder Diffusion? - Frühe Viehhaltung im Kaokoland. In: Kölner geographische Arbeiten 77, 2002: 137-144.
M. Bollig & R. Vogelsang (2002) Naturraum und Besiedlungsgeschichte im Nordwesten Namibias. In: Kölner geographische Arbeiten 77, 2002: 145-158.
2001
B. Keding & R. Vogelsang (2001) Vom Jäger-Sammler zum Hirten – Wirtschaftswandel im nordöstlichen und südwestlichen Afrika. In: B. Gehlen, M. Heinen und A. Tillmann (eds.): Zeit-Räume. Gedenkschrift für Wolfgang Taute. Archäologische Berichte 14, Bonn, 2001: 257-282.
1996
K. Neumann & R. Vogelsang (1996) Paléoenvironnement et préhistoire au Sahel du Burkina Faso. In: G. Nagel (Hrsg.): Berichte des Sonderforschungsbereiches 268 (7). Frankfurt, 1996, 177-186.
R. Vogelsang (1996) The Middle Stone Age in south-western Namibia. In: Pwiti, Gilbert und Robert Soper (ed.): Aspects of African Archaeology. Papers from the 10th Congress of the Pan African Association for Prehistory and Related Studies. Harare, 1996, 207-213.
Journal Publications
2022
E.A. Hensel, M. Kehl, L. Wöstehoff, K. Neumann, R. Vogelsang & O. Bubenzer (2022) A Multi-Method Approach for Deciphering Rockshelter Microstratigraphies—The Role of the Sodicho Rockshelter (SW Ethiopia) as a Geoarchaeological Archive. Geosciences 2022, 12, 92. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences12020092
V. Förster, A. Asrat, C. Bronk Ramsey, E.T. Brown, M.S. Chapot, A. Deino, W. Duessing, M. Grove, A. Hahn, A. Junginger, S. Kaboth-Bahr, C.S. Lane, S. Opitz, A. Noren, H.M. Roberts, M. Stockhede, R. Tiedemann, C.M. Vidal, R. Vogelsang, A.S. Cohen, H.F. Lamb, F. Schäbitz & M.H. Trauth (2022) Pleistocene climate variability in eastern Africa influenced hominin evolution. Nature Geoscience 15, October 2022: 805-811. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-022-01032-y
2021
F. Schaebitz, A. Asrat, H.F. Lamb, A.S. Cohen, V. Foerster, W. Duesing, S. Kaboth-Bahr, S. Opitz, F.A. Viehberg, R. Vogelsang, J. Dean, M.J. Leng, A. Junginger, C. Bronk Ramsey, M.S. Chapot, A. Deino, C.S. Lane, H.M. Roberts, C. Vidal, R. Tiedemann & M.H. Trauth (2021) Hydroclimate changes in eastern Africa over the past 200,000 years may have influenced early human dispersal. Nature Communications Earth & Environment 2, 123. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-021-00195-7
S. Kaboth-Bahr, S., Gosling, W.D., Vogelsang, R., Bahr, A., Eleanor M. L. Scerri, E.M.L., Asrat, A., Cohen, A.S., Düsing, W., Foerster, V., Lamb, H.F., Maslin, M.A., Roberts, H.M., Schäbitz, F. & M.H. Trauth (2021) Paleo-ENSO influence on African environments and early modern humans. PNAS 118, 23. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2018277118
E. A. Hensel, R. Vogelsang, T. Noack, O. Bubenzer (2021) Stratigraphy and Chronology of Sodicho Rockshelter – A New Sedimentological Record of Past Environmental Changes and Human Settlement Phases in Southwestern Ethiopia. Frontiers in Earth Science 8: 611700. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.611700
2020
C. Schepers, J. Lesur, R. Vogelsang (2020) Hunter-gatherers of the high-altitude Afromontane forest – the Holocene occupation of Mount Dendi, Ethiopia. Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa 55/3: 329-359. https://doi.org/10.1080/0067270X.2020.1792709
2019
G. Ossendorf, A. R. Groos, T. Bromm, M. G. Tekelemariam, B. Glaser, J. Lesur, J. Schmidt, N. Akçar, T. Bekele, A. Beldados, S. Demissew, T. H. Kahsay, B. P. Nash, T. Nauss, A. Negash, S. Nemomissa, H. Veit, R. Vogelsang, Z. Woldu, W. Zech, L. Opgenoorth, G. Miehe (2019) Middle Stone Age foragers resided in high elevations of the glaciated Bale Mountains, Ethiopia. Science 365: 583–587.
E. A. Hensel, O. Bödeker, O. Bubenzer, R. Vogelsang (2019) Combining geomorphological–hydrological analyses and the location of settlement and raw material sites – a case study on understanding prehistoric human settlement activity in the southwestern Ethiopian Highlands. E&G Quaternary Science Journal, 68: 201–213. https://doi.org/10.5194/egqsj-68-201-2019
2018
D. Reber, M. Fekadu, F. Detsch, R. Vogelsang, T. Bekele, T. Nauss, G. Miehe (2018) High-Altitude Rock Shelters and Settlements in an African Alpine Ecosystem: The Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. Human Ecology 46: 587–600. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-018-9999-5
R. Vogelsang, K. P. Wendt (2018) Reconstructing prehistoric settlement models and land use patterns on Mt. Damota/SW Ethiopia. Quaternary International 485: 140-149. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2017.06.061
R. Vogelsang, O. Bubenzer, M. Kehl, S. Meyer, J. Richter, B. Zinaye (2018) When Hominins Conquered Highlands—an Acheulean Site at 3000 m a.s.l. on Mount Dendi/Ethiopia. Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology 1: 302–313. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41982-018-0015-9
2017
S. Brandt, E. Hildebrand, R. Vogelsang, J. Wolfhagen, H. Wang (2017) A new MIS 3 radiocarbon chronology for Mochena Borago Rockshelter, SW Ethiopia: Implications for the interpretation of Late Pleistocenechronostratigraphy and human behaviour. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 11: 352–369. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2016.09.013
2016
R. F. Rifkin, L. C. Prinsloo, L. Dayet, M. M. Haaland, C. S. Henshilwood, E. L. Diz, S. Moyo, R. Vogelsang, F. Kambobo (2016) Characterising pigments on 30 000-year-old portable art from Apollo 11 Cave, Karas Region, southern Namibia. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 5: 336–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2015.11.028
V. Foerster, R. Vogelsang, A. Junginger, A. Asrat, H. F. Lamb, F. Schaebitz, M. H. Trauth (2016) Reply to the comment on "Environmental change and human occupation of southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya during the last 20,000 years. Quaternary Science Reviews 129: 333-340". Quaternary Science Reviews, 141: 130-133. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2016.04.003
2015
V. Foerster, R. Vogelsang, A. Junginger, A. Asrat, H. F. Lamb, F. Schaebitz, M. H. Trauth (2015) Environmental change and human occupation of southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya during the last 20,000 years. Quaternary Science Reviews 129: 333-340. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2015.10.026
C. V. Murray-Wallace, J. Richter, R. Vogelsang (2015) Aminostratigraphy and taphonomy of ostrich eggshell in the sedimentary infill of Apollo 11 Rockshelter, Namibia. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 4: 143–151. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2015.09.006
2012
J. Richter, Th. Hauck, R. Vogelsang, Th. Widlok, J.-M. Le Tensorer, P. Schmid (2012) “Contextual areas” of early Homo sapiens and their significance for human dispersal from Africa into Eurasia between 200 ka and 70 ka. Quaternary International, 274: 5-24. https://doii.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2012.04.017
S.A. Brandt, E. C. Fisher, E. A. Hildebrand, R. Vogelsang, S. H. Ambrose, J. Lesur, H. Wang (2012) Early MIS 3 occupation of Mochena Borago Rockshelter, Southwest Ethiopian Highlands: Implications for Late Pleistocene archaeology, paleoenvironments and modern human dispersals. Quaternary International, 274: 38–54. https://doii.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2012.03.047
2010
R. Vogelsang, J. Richter, Z. Jacobs, B. Eichhorn, V. Linsele, R. G. Roberts (2010) New excavations of Middle Stone Age deposits at Apollo 11 rockshelter, Namibia: Stratigraphy, archaeology, chronology and past environments. Journal of African Archaeology, 8, 2: 185–218.
2008
Z. Jacobs, R. G. Roberts, R. F. Galbraith, H. J. Deacon, R. Grün, A. Mackay, P. Mitchell, R. Vogelsang, L. Wadley (2008) Ages for the Middle Stone Age of Southern Africa: Implications for Human Bevavior and Dispersal. Science 322: 733–735.
2005
R. Vogelsang (2005) The past of the Etosha National Park - oral history and archaeological evidence. Nyame Akuma 63, 2005: 2–4.
2002
R. Vogelsang, B. Eichhorn, J. Richter (2002) Holocene occupation and vegetation history in northern Namibia. In: Die Erde 2000/2: 113–132.
2001
T. Frank, P. Breunig, P. Müller-Haude, W. Van Neer, K. Neumann, R. Vogelsang, H.-P. Wotzka (2001) The Chaîne de Gobnangou, SE Burkina Faso: archaeological, archaeobotanical archaeozoological and geomorphological studies. AVA-Beiträge 21: 127–190.
M. Albrecht, H. Berke, B. Eichhorn, Th. Frank, R. Kuper, S. Prill, R. Vogelsang, S. Wenzel (2001) Oruwanje 95/1: a Late Holocene stratigraphy in north-western Namibia. Cimbebasia 17: 1–22.
2000
R. Vogelsang (2000) Archaeological investigations in the Kaokoland: Survey and excavations in 1999 and 2000. Nyame Akuma 54: 25–28.
R. Vogelsang (2000) Archäologische Forschungen in der Sahel-Region Burkina Fasos – Ergebnisse der Grabungskampagnen 1994, 1995 und 1996. AVA-Beiträge 20: 173–203.
R. Vogelsang, K. D. Albert, S. Kahlheber (2000) Le sable savant: les cordons dunaires sahéliens au Burkina Faso comme archive archéologique et paléoécologique du Holocéne. Sahara 11: 51–68.
1998
R. Vogelsang (1998) Archaeological survey in the Kaokoveld, Namibia. Nyame Akuma 50: 22–25.
1997
R. Vogelsang (1997) Etudes sur l'histoire de l'occupation de la région sahélienne du Burkina Faso – Rapport des recherches sur le terrain (année 1996). Nyame Akuma 47: 2–6.
1996
R. Vogelsang (1996) Continuation des recherches archéologiques au nord du Burkina Faso – campagne de 1995. Nyame Akuma 46: 6–10.
1995
R. Vogelsang (1995) Recherches archéologiques concernant l'histoire de l'occupation de la région sahélienne au nord du Burkina Faso: Campagne de fouille de 1994. Nyame Akuma 44: 16–21.
R. Vogelsang (1995) Projektbeschreibung: Archäologische Karte von Namibia. Archäologische Informationen 18/1: 41–43.
R. Vogelsang (1995) Middle-Stone-Age-Fundstellen im Südwesten Namibias. Archäologische Informationen 18/1: 31–40.
Poster Presentations
2018
2016
2014
2013
J. Richter, R. Vogelsang & S. Brandt: Early MIS 3 occupation of Mochena Borago Rockshelter, southwest Ethiopian highlands.
2009
J. Richter, O. Bubenzer, R. Vogelsang, A. Vött, S. Brandt, E. Hildebrand, P. van Peer: A1: Out of Africa – Late Pleistocene Rock Shelter Stratigraphies and Palaeoenvironments in Northeastern Africa.
2006
Projects
Since 2016
Forschergruppe 2358: The Mountain Exile Hypothesis: How humans benefitted from and re-shaped African high altitude ecosystems during Quaternary climate changes. Projekt P1: When did humans conquer high mountains? – The making of a tropical alpine environment.
2009 – 2021
SFB 806 Unser Weg nach Europa: Kultur-Umwelt Interaktion und menschliche Mobilität im Späten Quartär. Projekt A1: Out of Africa – Late Pleistocene Rock Shelter Stratigraphies and Palaeoenvironments in Northeast Africa.
Projekt A3: Ethiopian Lakes – Palaeoenvironmental Reconstruction in the Source Region of Modern Man.
2008
DFG Projekt: New ages for the Middle Stone Age at Apollo 11, Namibia.
1998 – 2007
SFB 389 Arid climate, adaptation and cultural innovation in Africa. Projekt B4: Spätholozäne Umwelt- und Besiedlungsgeschichte Nord-Namibias.
1993 – 1997
SFB 268 Kulturentwicklung und Sprachgeschichte im Naturraum Westafrikanische Savanne. Projekt C6: Archäologische Untersuchungen zur Besiedlungsgeschichte in der Sahel Region des nördlichen Burkina Faso.
1991 – 1993: Kulturerhalt Namibia. Projekt: Archäologische Karte. Gefördert vom Auswertigem Amt in Zusammenarbeit mit dem National Heritage Council Namibia.