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Deep Roots Africa

Investigating the Deep Roots of Human Behaviour

It is assumed that our ancestor, the Homo heidelbergensis, who lived in Africa between 600 and 200 ka, was the first humans to be capable of a modern human behaviour. This includes symbol use, language and complex tool-making. However, the chronology of the Homo heidelbergensis in Africa has been poorly constrained. In this project we will investigate the three key localities in Zambia, Victoria Falls, Kalambo Falls and Luangwa Valley, well known by archaeologists for more than half a century, to gather more evidence of our ancestors. An international and interdisciplinary team, consisting of archaeologists, geographers and dating specialists will undertake further excavations on these sites. The LIAG ESR laboratory will establish a new chronology of these sites using quartz from sediments including Early to Middle Stone Age stone tools.

For further and up-to-date information on the project see Professor Larry Barham’s blog: https://deeprootsafrica.blog/

Funding

Arts ad Humanities Research Council of Great Britain