A5045609121- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Archaeology and Rock Art Studies
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping
- Marine and environmental studies
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Geological formations and processes
- Language and cultural evolution
- Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Mineral Processing and Grinding
- Marine animal studies overview
- Criminal Law and Evidence
- Indigenous Studies and Ecology
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Image Processing and 3D Reconstruction
- Paleopathology and ancient diseases
University of Johannesburg
2013-2023
Leiden University
2010-2023
University of the Witwatersrand
2010-2013
We report the discovery of a 50,000-y-old birch tar-hafted flint tool found off present-day coastline The Netherlands. production adhesives and multicomponent tools is considered complex technology has prominent place in discussions about evolution human behavior. This find provides evidence on technological capabilities Neandertals illuminates currently debated conditions under which these technologies could be maintained. 14C-accelerator mass spectrometry dating geological provenance...
In the 12,000 years preceding Industrial Revolution, human activities led to significant changes in land cover, plant and animal distributions, surface hydrology, biochemical cycles. Earth system models suggest that this anthropogenic cover change influenced regional global climate. However, representation of past use earth is currently oversimplified. As a result, there are large uncertainties current understanding state system. order improve variety scale impacts had on system, effort...
We provide a brief overview of how the rich South African Pleistocene Homo fossil record correlates with recently revised Stone Age sequence. The and correlation data is intended to highlight gaps in and/or our understanding thereof, stimulate interdisciplinary research debate on archaeological records spanning Pleistocene. As an updated resource we present complete inventory known material assigned genus Homo, and, where possible, its association material. demonstrate that (1) anatomical...
The causes of Neanderthal disappearance about 40,000 years ago remain highly contested. Over a dozen serious hypotheses are currently endorsed to explain this enigmatic event. Given the relatively large number contending explanations and participants in debate, it is unclear how strongly each contender supported by research community. What does community actually believe demise Neanderthals? To address question, we conducted survey among practicing palaeo-anthropologists (total respondents =...
Abstract Umhlatuzana rockshelter has an occupation sequence spanning the last 70,000 years. It is one of few sites with deposits covering Middle to Later Stone Age transition (~40,000–30,000 years BP) in southern Africa. Comprehending site’s depositional history and thus important for broader understanding development Homo sapiens ’ behavior. The was first excavated 1980s by Jonathan Kaplan. He suggested that integrity late sediments compromised large-scale sediment movement. In 2018, we...
Abstract We develop a framework to differentiate the technological niches of co-existing hominin species by reviewing some theoretical biases influential in thinking about techno-behaviours extinct hominins, such as teleological bias discussing evolution. suggest that stone-tool classification systems underestimate variability, while overestimating complexity behaviours most commonly represented. To model likely populations, we combine ecological principles ( i.e. competitive exclusion) with...
Livestock remains appear in the South African archaeological record around 2100 years ago. However, economic importance of domestic animals Later Stone Age subsistence is debated. This paper adopts an approach rooted Optimal Foraging Theory to examine if introduction livestock reflected changing taxonomic diversity faunal assemblages. Based on analysis a database 300+ assemblages, it concluded that during final Africa was relatively limited.
We develop a study protocol to efficiently and accurately identify the raw material categories constituting lithic assemblages at Umhlatuzana rockshelter, South Africa. combine visual analytical methods establish database provide more accurate insight into selection during Pleistocene Middle Later Stone Age occupational sequence of Umhlatuzana. The combines petrological properties (as studied on micromorphological samples), elemental composition specimens measured with p-XRF)...
Umhlatuzana rockshelter is an archaeological site with occupational record covering the Middle Stone Age, Later and Iron Age. The presence of both Age assemblages makes ideal location for study MSA–LSA transition (20–40 ka) in southern Africa. This transitional period characterized by important modifications stone tool technology, from prepared core technology to a toolkit based on microlith production. These changes are argued have occurred response climate environment leading up Last...