Research Interests: 

Magnus Haaland is a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Bergen, Norway and an affiliated researcher at the University of Tübingen, Germany. Magnus specializes in geoarchaeology and archaeological micromorphology. His current research focuses on evaluating site formation processes at Middle Stone Age cave sites dated to between 50,000 and 100,000 years. While knowledge of these processes is useful both for the reconstruction of paleolandscapes, assessment of local taphonomy, and evaluation of stratigraphic integrity, Magnus is particularly interested in how depostional events can inform us about prehistoric human campsite practices and behaviours. His interest in stratified archaeological deposits comes from his extensive fieldwork experience in southern Africa. During the last ten years, Magnus has participated in excavations at sites such as Blombos Cave, Klipdrift Complex, Sibudu, Diepkloof Rockshelter, Bushman Rockshelter, and Pomongwe Cave. During his fieldwork, Haaland has also been developing and implementing digital systems for more systematic, efficient, and comprehensive data collection, including the use of high resolution 3D photogrammetry and GIS. In the laboratory, his efforts have been geared towards integrating and contextualizing geochemical results (e.g., from XRF, FTIR, XRD, RAMAN) within the spatial framework of oriented and geo-referenced thin sections. When Magnus is not in the field or in the lab, he enjoys hiking in the mountains, photography, and watching chess TV.