John Shea’s research focuses on the archaeology of human origins and evolution during the Pleistocene Ice Ages. His interests include early hominid adaptive radiations, the origin of Homo sapiens, the extinction of the Neanderthals, and lithic (stone tool) technology. He has investigated these subjects through projects in Israel, Jordan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Kenya.  An expert stone-tool-maker, Shea uses the results of experiments using stone tools to improve archaeological methods for reconstructing prehistoric human behavior.