Details of Award

NERC Reference : NER/T/S/2002/00677

Chronology, adaptation and environment of the Middle Palaeolithic in Northern Africa: implications for the dispersal of anatomically modern humans.

Principal Investigator:: Professor DSG Thomas, Aberystwyth University, Inst of Geography and Earth Sciences
Co-Investigator:: Professor GAT Duller, Aberystwyth University, Inst of Geography and Earth Sciences
Co-Investigator:: Professor M Mirazon Lahr, University of Cambridge, McDonald Institute Archaeological Res.
Co-Investigator:: Professor CB Stringer, The Natural History Museum, Earth Sciences
Grant held at:: Aberystwyth University, Inst of Geography and Earth Sciences

ENRIs:: Global Change
Science Topics:: Science-Based Archaeology; Quaternary Science; Palaeoenvironments; Climate & Climate Change

Abstract:: Africa was a critical location in the emergence and dispersal of (AMHs) since MIS 5. Environmental factors played an important role in range expansion and contraction of antecedent MP and Early UP populations in Africa and understanding their significance requires evaluation of the nature and chronology of the preserved archaeological record. We will apply optical dating (in addition to palaeoenvironmental and archaeological interpretation) to geographically widespread MP and UP sites across Northern Africa to produce an absolute, robust and systematic chronological framework. This will provide a fuller understanding of environmental factors in both later dispersal events and speciation of AMHs. This chronology will provide a basis for correlation among geographically-widespread archaeological sites, and to global, and low latitude, climate changes.

Authorised funds only

This grant award has a total value of £104,391

Total - Staff	Total - T&S	Total - Other Costs	Total - Indirect Costs
£55,413	£18,095	£5,393	£25,490

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