Rolfe D Mandel

Biographic Data

ID269258
NAMERolfe D Mandel
GIVEN NAMESRolfe D
FAMILY NAMEMandel
SIGNATUREMANDEL R D
AFFILIATIONSUniversity of Kansas
ORCID0000-0002-4725-9410
VERIFIEDYes
TOTAL WORKS39
TOTAL CITATIONS58
AUTHOR COUNT39
EDITOR COUNT0
FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR1985
LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR2026
H-INDEX3

  • Late Quaternary faunal remains as proxies for the human-environment relationships at San Esteban rockshelter in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, southwest Texas, USA

    Open AccessErika S Blecha, Rolfe D MandelARTICLEQuaternary International2026

    San Esteban Rockshelter (SER) is situated in the arid northern Chihuahuan Desert and Trans-Pecos region of southwest Texas. SER has stratified deposits ranging in age from ca. 18,000 calendar years before present (cal yr BP) to present day. Additionally, the SER has been occupied by humans during the terminal Pleistocene (ca. 15,500–10,900 cal yr BP), the middle Holocene (ca. 7500–5600 cal yr BP), and at least twice during the late Holocene (ca. …

  • Evaluation of the Geoarchaeological Study that Proposes a Middle Holocene Age for Monte Verde II, Chile

    Open AccessM R Waters, Jessi J Halligan et al.ARTICLEPaleoAmerica2026

    The late Pleistocene age of Monte Verde II (MV-II), Chile, has been challenged based on a regional geoarchaeological study of Chinchihuapi Creek [Surovell, T., C. Méndez, J.-L. García, C. Lüthens, J. M. Thompson, and C. Latorre. 2026a. “A Mid-Holocene Age for Monte Verde Challenges the Timeline of Human Colonization of South America.” Science 391: 1283–1288]. The authors of that study propose that the early archaeological component at MV-II dates…

  • Taphonomy of Beringian Karstic Sites

    Open AccessLauriane Bourgeon, L E Y Norman et al.ARTICLEPaleoAmerica2026

    A recent analysis of the mammal bone assemblages from Bluefish Caves I and II suggests that humans hunted horses and caribou in the northern Yukon Territory of Canada as early as 23,500 years ago. Here we use a taphonomic approach to test whether humans were also active at Cave III. We identify several species of herbivores and carnivores – including the American cheetah – and suggest that carnivores were the principal agent responsible for the a…

  • Early Holocene interaction of aeolian, alluvial, and lacustrine processes in a dune-dammed valley in the central Nebraska Sand Hills

    Open AccessGosia Mahoney, Rolfe D Mandel et al.ARTICLEQuaternary Research2025

    The stratigraphic record of the Early Holocene in the Nebraska Sand Hills suggests dry climatic conditions and periods of sustained aeolian activity, which resulted in several well-documented instances of sand dunes blocking river drainages in the western Sand Hills. Here, we present evidence that drainage blockage by migrating sand dunes also occurred in the central Sand Hills, where precipitation is higher and dune morphology differs. The South…

  • Avian Taphonomy at Bluefish Caves, Yukon, Canada

    Open AccessLauriane Bourgeon, Rolfe D MandelARTICLEARCTIC2024

    A recent analysis of the mammal bones from Bluefish Caves (northern Yukon Territory, Canada) suggests that modern humans visited the site on several occasions for short-term hunting activities as early as 23,500 calibrated years BP. Here we apply taphonomic methods to the avian remains recovered from the caves. Seventeen genera of birds are identified in the assemblage, including 450 ptarmigan individuals (Lagopus lagopus and Lagopus muta). We di…

  • Planetary geoarchaeology as a new frontier in archaeological science

    Open AccessJustin A Holcomb, Beth Laura O’Leary et al.ARTICLEGeoarchaeology2023References: 9

    On October 4, 1957, Homo sapiens crossed a new threshold of technological innovation after constructing an artifact capable of entering Low Earth Orbit and effectively paving the way for a future of space exploration. This artifact was Sputnik 1, launched by the Soviet space program which triggered the “space race” of the mid‐20th century. Over the past 65 years, we have continued to explore and populate our solar system with rockets and spacecra…

  • Comment on “Population dynamics on Aetokremnos hippos of Cyprus or have Cypriots ever tasted hippo meat? [Quat. Int. 568 (2020) 55–64]”

    Open AccessAlan H Simmons, Rolfe D Mandel et al.ARTICLEQuaternary International2022

  • Does the evidence at Arroyo del Vizcaíno (Uruguay) support the claim of human occupation 30,000 years ago

    Justin A Holcomb, Rolfe D Mandel et al.ARTICLEPaleoAmerica2022Cited by: 3References: 37

    Researchers at Arroyo del Vizcaíno (AdV), Uruguay, have argued that human occupation dates prior to the Last Glacial Maximum (33,000–31,000 cal BP) based on the presence of purported stone tools and cutmarks on bones. We provide a summary of their research and critically evaluate these claims. We conclude that the claims of a pre-LGM occupation at AdV are unsupported due to: (1) equivocal evidence that the purported stone tools are culturally mod…

  • Butzer, Karl W.

    Open AccessRolfe D MandelCHAPTEREncyclopedia of Global Archaeology2020

  • Using soil survey data as a predictive tool for locating deeply buried archaeological deposits in stream valleys of the Midwest, United States

    Open AccessAnthony L Layzell, Rolfe D MandelARTICLEGeoarchaeology2018Cited by: 3References: 7

    In stream valleys of the US Midwest, most of the existing record of prehistoric cultures is deeply buried. Therefore, there is a need for understanding the age and distribution of different landform sediment assemblages (LSAs) in these settings to adequately evaluate the landscape for buried archaeological materials. In this study, we show the applicability of US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service soil survey data to…

  • Geoarchaeology and paleoecology of the deeply stratified Richard Beene site, Medina River valley, South-Central Texas, USA

    Open AccessRolfe D Mandel, Alston V Thoms et al.ARTICLEQuaternary International2017Cited by: 1References: 8

  • The remote-sensing assessment of a threatened ancient water technology in Afghanistan

    Open AccessPhil Stinson, Matthew Naglak et al.ARTICLEJournal of Archaeological Science…2016Cited by: 2References: 4

  • Forces driving late Pleistocene (ca. 77–12 ka) landscape evolution in the Cimarron River valley, southwestern Kansas

    Open AccessAnthony L Layzell, Rolfe D Mandel et al.ARTICLEQuaternary Research2015

    This study presents stratigraphic, geomorphic, and paleoenvironmental (δ 13 C) data that provide insight into the late Pleistocene landscape evolution of the Cimarron River valley in the High Plains of southwestern Kansas. Two distinct valley fills (T-1 and T-2) were investigated. Three soils occur in the T-2 fill and five in the T-1 fill, all indicating periods of landscape stability or slow sedimentation. Of particular interest are two cumulic …

  • Geoarchaeology and paleoenvironmental context of the Beacon Island site, an Agate Basin (Paleoindian) bison kill in northwestern North Dakota, USA

    Open AccessRolfe D Mandel, Laura R Murphy et al.ARTICLEQuaternary International2014

  • Geoarchaeology and Paleoenvironmental Context of the B urntwood C reek Rockshelter, High Plains of Northwestern K ansas, U . S . A

    Open AccessLaura R Murphy, Rolfe D MandelARTICLEGeoarchaeology2012

    The first systematic geoarchaeological study of a rockshelter in K ansas yielded information about rockshelter formation, H olocene paleoenvironments, archaeological site formation processes, and prehistoric human habitation and site use. The rockshelter was carved by groundwater sapping; colluvium, alluvium, and roof‐fall debris subsequently accumulated on its floor. An assemblage of L ate A rchaic (∼2000–4000 14 C years before present [yr B.P.]…

  • Soils and late‐Quaternary landscape evolution in the Cottonwood River basin, east‐central Kansas

    Open AccessJared M Beeton, Rolfe D MandelARTICLEGeoarchaeology2011Cited by: 3References: 8

    Temporal and spatial patterns of landscape evolution strongly influence the temporal and spatial patterns of the archaeological record in drainage systems. In this geoarchaeological investigation we took a basin‐wide approach in assessing the soil stratigraphy, lithostratigraphy, and geochronology of alluvial deposits and associated buried soils in the Cottonwood River basin of east‐central Kansas. Patterns of landscape evolution emerge when stra…

  • Geoarchaeology of stratified paleoindian deposits at the Big Eddy site, Southwest Missouri, U.S.A

    Open AccessEdwin R Hajic, Rolfe D Mandel et al.ARTICLEGeoarchaeology2007

    The Big Eddy site (23CE426) in the Sac River valley of southwest Missouri is a rare recorded example of distinctly stratified Early through Late Paleoindian cultural deposits. Early point types recovered from the site include Gainey, Sedgwick, Dalton (fluted and unfluted), San Patrice, Wilson, and Packard. The Paleoindian record at Big Eddy represents only a fraction of the site's prehistoric cultural record; stratified cultural deposits in alluv…

  • Not such a new light

    Alan Simmons, Alan H Simmons et al.ARTICLEWorld Archaeology2007Cited by: 8References: 2

    Ammerman and Noller (2005 Ammerman, A. and Noller, J. 2005. New light on Aetokremnos. World Archaeology, 37(4): 533–543. [Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) question several aspects of investigations at the early Holocene site of Akrotiri Aetokremnos in Cyprus. Here we address their criticisms, paying particular attention to three ambiguities that they noted. We also suggest that their claim to having discovered cont…

  • Watson Brake, a Middle Archaic Mound Complex in Northeast Louisiana

    Open AccessJoe W Saunders, Rolfe D Mandel et al.ARTICLEAmerican Antiquity2005Cited by: 22References: 18

    Middle Archaic earthen mound complexes in the lower Mississippi valley are remote antecedents of the famous but much younger Poverty Point earthworks. Watson Brake is the largest and most complex of these early mound sites. Very extensive coring and stratigraphic studies, aided by 25 radiocarbon dates and six luminescence dates, show that minor earthworks were begun here at ca. 3500 B.C. in association with an oval arrangement of burned rock midd…

  • A Middle Archaic Burial from East Central Kansas

    Open AccessRobert J Hoard, William E Banks et al.ARTICLEAmerican Antiquity2004Cited by: 1References: 41

    In late 2001, investigators excavated a solitary Middle Archaic burial from the Plains-Prairie border in east-central Kansas. The burial was contained in a dissected colluvial apron at the foot of the valley wall, in a soil horizon that began accumulating around 9000 B.P. Burial goods include deer bone, a drill, and a side-notched projectile point/knife, the morphology of which is consistent with side-notched Middle Archaic points of the North Am…

  • Geomorphology and Stratigraphy

    Rolfe D MandelARTICLEPlains Anthropologist2003

  • C 4 Plant Productivity and Climate-CO 2 Variations in South-Central Texas during the Late Quaternary

    Open AccessLee C Nordt, Thomas W Boutton et al.ARTICLEQuaternary Research2002

    A continuous record of organic carbon δ 13 C from a buried soil sequence in south-central Texas demonstrates: 1) strong coupling between marine and adjacent continental ecosystems in the late Pleistocene as a result of glacial meltwater entering the Gulf of Mexico and 2) ecosystem decoupling in the Holocene associated with a reduction of meltwater and a shift in global circulation patterns. In the late Pleistocene, reduction in C 4 plant producti…

  • The effects of temporal and spatial patterns of Holocene erosion and alluviation on the archaeological record of the Central and Eastern Great Plains, U.S.A

    Open AccessE Arthur Bettis, Rolfe D MandelARTICLEGeoarchaeology2002

    Patterns of erosion and deposition act as a filter that strongly influences the disposition of the archaeological record of the Central and Eastern Plains of the North American Midcontinent. Detailed studies of alluvial valley stratigraphy in four drainage basins in the region reveal temporal and spatial patterns of fluvial system behavior that control the preservation and visibility of past human activity. These basins are located on a 600‐km‐lo…

  • Dedication

    Open AccessDonald L Johnson, D Lynn Johnson et al.ARTICLEGeoarchaeology2002Cited by: 2

  • Geoarchaeological investigations at the Winger site

    Open AccessRolfe D Mandel, Jack L HofmanARTICLEGeoarchaeology2002Cited by: 11References: 4

    The Winger site is a deeply buried Late Paleoindian bison bonebed in a playa basin on the High Plains of midcontinental North America. The site is one of few stratified, Late Paleoindian bison kills recorded in the region. The bonebed is exposed in the bank of an intermittent stream that cut into the edge of the playa basin. Avocational archaeologists excavated a small portion of the exposed bonebed in the early 1970s and reported flakes in assoc…