PhD Student

Blade Engda REDAE
Doctorant, Palevoprim

Thesis topic

Ecological dynamics of the vertebrate assemblages contemporaneous of the human occupations in the Shungura Formation (Plio-Pleistocene of the lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia)

The Plio-Pleistocene experienced crucial climatic and ecosystem changes that coincide with key events during human evolution, particularly in eastern Africa. In this context, the temporal, ecological, and behavioral implications of the transition from hominid diet to tool-assisted animal tissue consumption can be further explored. In the Turkana region, the Shungura Formation, dated between 3.6 Ma and 1 Ma, although rich in fauna and artifacts, has never been studied from a zooarchaeological perspective. This thesis examines the taphonomic and paleoenvironmental contexts of vertebrate assemblages contemporary with human occupation sites in this formation. The objective was to address the subsistence behaviors of ancient hominids, the ecological context of the Oldowayen and recently discovered Acheulean localities. Various taphonomic marks were documented on Shungura bone material and compared to experimental samples including anthropogenic cut marks, trampling marks, and crocodilian and carnivore marks. Anthropogenic activity was confirmed in the members F, G, and L (as early as 2.3 Ma). While there is still a debate about the identification of bone surface modifications, the approach based on geometric morphometry was able to effectively discriminate between the two. The second part of the thesis focused on the paleoenvironmental data surrounding the emergence of the Oldowan at Shungura (Member F, 2.3 Ma) by combining taphonomy, faunal composition data, as well as 3D textural analysis of dental micro-portraits (DMTA). The results suggest a more pronounced local-scale ecological variability in Member F than for underlying deposits.

Place

Amphi PBS, Bât. B36, University of Poitiers.