Archaeology: Uncovering the Human Story
Origins of Humans
Archaeologists have shifted their focus from Europe to Africa to uncover the origins of humans. The discovery of the Taung Child in South Africa in 1924 revolutionized our understanding of human evolution, pushing the focus to Africa’s “Cradles of Humankind.”
Today, there are several fossil candidates for the earliest hominin, dating back 5-7 million years ago. The discovery of “Ardi” in 2009 provided new insights into the evolution of walking in hominins.
Human Evolution
The pace of archaeological discovery is faster than ever before. New research has led to significant revisions of our understanding of human evolution.
In Africa, discoveries of new hominin fossils have expanded our knowledge of our ancestors. Australopithecines like Australopithecus deryiremeda and Australopithecus sediba have reshaped the human family tree.
Perspectives on Homo sapiens have also changed. Fossils from Morocco suggest that our species emerged in Africa around 300,000 years ago, earlier than previously thought. Discoveries from Europe and Asia, including the enigmatic “hobbits” on Flores and the Denisovans in Siberia, indicate that our ancestors may have encountered other hominins as they spread out of Africa.
Ancient DNA
The rise of ancient DNA has revolutionized archaeological research. Since 2010, the sequencing of ancient human genomes has provided new insights into our species’ origins and early history.
Ancient DNA has revealed that modern humans and Neanderthals interbred during the last Ice Age, with many people today possessing some Neanderthal DNA. It has also identified the mysterious Denisovans, who interbred with us and Neanderthals.
Ancient DNA is now being extracted from a variety of sources, including cave dirt and chewing gum, providing new perspectives on individual and family relationships, as well as ancient diets and diseases.
Biomolecules
DNA is not the only molecule revolutionizing the study of the past. Paleoproteomics, the study of ancient proteins, has linked a 9-foot tall, 1,300-pound extinct ape to today’s orangutans.
Dental calculus has revealed information about ancient diets, including the consumption of milk, and has shed light on the human gut microbiome. Lipid residues trapped in pottery have provided insights into the origins of milk consumption and the use of ancient pots as baby bottles.
Big Data
Archaeologists are also using big data to reveal large-scale patterns. Aerial photography and satellite imagery enable researchers to discover new sites and monitor existing ones at risk. Drones provide detailed views of sites, helping to understand their construction and combat looting.
LIDAR technology creates 3D maps of landscapes, revealing ancient cities hidden in dense vegetation. Ground Penetrating Radar detects buried structures without excavation. Teams of archaeologists are combining large datasets to understand human impacts on the planet over thousands of years.
New Connections
Advances in technology are fostering new connections between researchers. Artificial intelligence is being used to identify ancient images in Peru. Crowdsourcing is helping to find new archaeological sites.
Partnerships between archaeologists and scientific specialists are leading to innovative research. The Open Science movement promotes data sharing and accessibility. Public archaeology programs, community digs, and digital museum collections are making archaeology more accessible.
Studying the Past to Change Our Present
Archaeological research provides insights into climate change and how ancient peoples coped with challenging environments. Studies have shown that traditional practices like transhumance can promote biodiversity and healthy landscapes.
Archaeologists are contributing their methods, data, and perspectives to create a vision for a less damaged, more just planet. By studying the past, we can learn from the successes and failures of our ancestors and work towards a better future.
