Semester A

West Siberian Plain is the world largest lowland that is flanked from the west by Ural Mountain range, by Altay Mountains from the southeast and by Yenisei river from the east. The rich evidence for prehistoric and proto-historic cultures derives mostly from Ural and Altay mountain ranges and from the southern part of the plain. The region is unique due to the coexistence of Neanderthals and Denisovans ca 100-50 thousand years ago. The early Modern Humans dispersed into the region ca 50-45 thousand years ago.

This core course will introduce students to a variety of theories and research methods relevant to the scope of the program. It will also address different research themes representing the range of studies undertaken within the Asian Sphere theme.  The course is constituted of lectures of senior Hebrew University scholars. Each of these scholars will present his or her field of research and will discuss with the students fundamental issues relevant to cross-Asian research and perspectives.