A new article published on PLoS One on a recent analysis of the mtDNA (hypervariable region I) extracted from Paglicci 23 (tibia and skull fragments) from Paglicci cave (Italy; specimen excavated in 2003; dated to 28,100 +/-350; classified as early modern human or Cro-Magnoid). The team conclude that this specimen radically differ from all Neandertal mtDNA so far sequenced and falls within the range of variability of modern populations. At any rate, the finding of the Cambridge Reference Sequence in Paglicci 23 shows that one of today's mtDNA variants has been present in Europe for at least 28,000 years, and that modern and archaic anatomical features appear associated with mtDNA sequences that can be classified, respectively, as modern and non-modern. Because no HVR I sequence similar to the Neandertals' has been described in more than 4800 Europeans studied so far [32], models whereby Neandertals were part of the genealogy of current Europeans are at odds with the data, at least as far as maternal inheritance is concerned. In our opinion, the burden of the proof is now on those who maintain that Neandertals might have contributed to the modern gene pool. (Caramelli et al 2008) The most interesting aspect of this study is that they made sure that the genetic material of Paglicci 23 was free of modern contamination (minimal handling of the specimen, genotyping of all the team members' mtDNAs including the excavators and selection of bone fragments that suffered little manipulation over the years due to their lack of morpho-anatomical data). Such contamination has been the major issue in the most recent studies of ancient DNA (see a recent article on ancient mtDNA extraction –Mackelprang and Rubin 2008- and John Hawks' review of the Paglicci article). The other interesting aspect of this study is that the fact that they analyzed an early modern human specimen. We currently possess few early modern European specimens and this has been a major source of problems when scrutinizing the transitional/contact period between newly-arrived modern humans and local Neandertal populations. REFERENCES Caramelli, D., L. Milani, S. Vai, A. Modi, E. Pecchioli, M. Girardi, E. Pilli, M. Lari, B. Lippi, A. Ronchitelli, F. Mallegni, A. Casoli, G. Bertorelle and G. Barbujani 2008 A 28,000 Years Old Cro-Magnon mtDNA Sequence Differs from All Potentially Contaminating Modern Sequences. PLoS ONE. Mackelprang, R. and E. Rubin 2008 New tricks with old bones. Science 11, vol. 321, no. 5886, pp. 211 – 212.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
PAGLICCI 23 mtDNA SEQUENCING
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
EDWARD O. WILSON
A little portrait of Edward O. Wilson in today's New York Times by Nicholas Wade. The article mentions the controversies but remains fairly neutral. Dr. Wilson is famous for his work on ants (The Superorganism), evolutionary mechanisms (group-level selection, "multilevel selection") and social evolution (including the controversial Sociobiology published in 1975). If you ask me, someone who states that we have a lot to learn from ants in terms of behavior and even ethics makes me feel quite uncomfortable, at so many levels. Beyond the political and moral implications of his work and statements, Wilson is a great writer and his books are quite fun to read (two Pulitzer Prices). Nothing really new in this article except some news about his upcoming books and the projects he's currently working on. Don't hesitate to quote Wilson if you are planning to start a heated debate/fight in an anthropology department or at lunch: "Groups with men of quality — brave, strong, innovative, smart and altruistic — would tend to prevail, as Darwin said, over those groups that do not have those qualities so well developed," Dr. Wilson said. "Now that, obviously, is a rather unpopular idea, very politically incorrect if pushed, but nevertheless Darwin may have been right about that. Undoubtedly that will be another big controversy," he said without evident regret, "and that will be my next book, when I get through my novel." (Source) ::: Un portrait rapide du biologiste Edward O. Wilson dans le New York Times par Nicholas Wade. L'article reste prudent mais introduit brièvement les quelques controverses que son travail sur le comportement animal et humain (Sociobiology, 1975) continue à susciter dans la communauté scientifique et au-delà. Un scientifique qui déclare que nous avons beaucoup à apprendre des fourmis d'un point du vue moral me fait froid dans le dos. En revanche, son énorme travail, sur les fourmis et certains mécanismes (sélection à l'échelle du groupe) en particulier, demeure intéressant (deux Prix Pulitzer tout de même). Je ne sais pas dans quelle mesure son travail est traduit en français ; les implications de certaines de ces conclusions et ses commentaires (hors publications) ne sont sans doute pas des plus appréciées dans la communauté scientifique française. Une petite citation extraite de l'article en question pour vous donner le gout : « Les groupes constitués d'hommes possédant des qualités –courageux, forts, innovateurs, intelligents et altruistes- tendraient à se développer, comme Darwin l'a écrit, à l'encontre de groupes qui ne possèdent pas ces qualités de façon aussi prononcée. » déclare Dr. Wilson. « Bien entendu, ceci est une idée plutôt impopulaire, absolument politiquement incorrect si on l'a pousse un peu plus loin, néanmoins Darwin avait peut être raison à ce sujet. Sans aucun doute cette idée va créer une autre grande controverse, » dit-il sans regret apparent, « et cette idée sera mon nouveau livre, quand j'aurai fini d'écrire mon roman. »
Monday, July 14, 2008
HOMO HEIDELBERGENSIS' EAR ::: L'OREILLE D'HOMO HEIDELBERGENSIS
Everybody's talking about it! It's a paper given at the Acoustics 08 Paris conference (PDF abstract; Martinez et al. 2008) on hearing capacity of Homo heidelbergensis based on the analysis of fossils from Atapuerca (Spain; aren't they H. antecessor? I probably missed the memo). They looked at the ear bones and ear canal morphology using CT scans to conclude that Homo heidelbergensis was capable of hearing sounds similar to how modern human do. Their middle ear anatomy is remarkably similar to modern Homo sapiens, even though Homo heidelbergensis is not directly related to us. This conference paper is a great addition to the current literature regarding the emergence of language suggesting here that the anatomy of the ear may have evolved in parallel with the apparatus required to produce complex articulated language around the same time (circa 500,000 years ago). Press release via Science News For background information and recent papers on language: FOXP2 and Neandertals and recent papers on primate brain anatomy and language (Anthropology.net) A good summary on evolution of language: The Evolution of Language by Juan Uriagereka (Seed) ::: Un nouvel article issu de la conférence Acoustics 08 Paris (résumé en anglais; Martinez et al. 2008) sur les capacités auditives d'Homo Communiqué de presse via Science News (en anglais) Pour plus d'info sur les articles récents sur l'évolution du langage : sur FOXP2 et Néandertal et sur l'anatomie du cerveau de certains primates (sur Anthropology.net ; en anglais) Un bon résumé des chapitres précédents sur l'évolution du langage chez les hominidés : The Evolution of Language par Juan Uriagereka (Seed ; en anglais) REFERENCES I. Martínez, R.M. Quam, M. Rosa, P. Jarabo, C. Lorenzo and J.L. Arsuaga, Auditory capacities of human fossils: a new approach to the origin of speech. Conference Paper. Acoustics 08 Paris.
heidelbergensis en s'appuyant sur l'étude de fossiles d'Atapuerca (Espagne ; Homo antecessor ?). L'équipe de chercheur ont comparé certains aspects de l'anatomie de l'oreille interne d'Homo
heidelbergensis avec l'aide de scans CT pour conclure qu'elle était très similaire à notre propre oreille interne et donc que leur capacités auditives étaient probablement les mêmes que les notre. L'enjeu est évidemment d'identifier si les modifications des capacités auditives peuvent être corrélées avec les changements anatomiques liés à la production de langage articulé. Apparemment, c'est le cas et ces changements sont visibles au moins autour de -500,000 ans.
Friday, July 11, 2008
100 YEARS AFTER, THE OLD MAN BACK HOME ::: LES 100 ANS DE LA CHAPELLE-AUX-SAINTS
In August 1908, the Bouyssonie brothers (with L. Bardon) unearthed a Neandertal skeleton near the French village of La Chapelle-aux-Saints (often called "the old man of La Chapelle") in a small cave. This amazing specimen played a key-role in the shaping of our understanding of Neandertals during the first part of the 20th century. 100 years after, you are invited to celebrate the discovery from July 25th to August 8th. Not only you can attend a series of talks on various topics (3D reconstruction of the skull, Mousterian/Neandertal technology, history of the discovery…) by renowned archaeologists and paleoanthropologists but there will also be activities (flintknapping demonstration…) and visits of the site with the archaeologists that recently re-excavated the site (team led by C. Beauval and T. Bismuth). So if you are travelling through western France, you must stop by. The best part… the original skeleton will be there as a loan of the Musée de l'Homme. Welcome home, Old Man. Schedule and activities (in French) Museum of La Chapelle-aux-Saints (English) En 1908, les frères Bouyssonie (et L. Bardon) mettent au jour le squelette d'un vieux Néandertal dans une petite grotte au sud de Brive sur la commune de la Chapelle-aux-Saints. Cet extraordinaire spécimen jouera un rôle majeur pour l'étude des néandertals au début du 20ème siècle. Nous sommes tous invités à célébrer cette découverte majeure pour la paléoanthropologie du 25 Juillet au 8 Aout avec des conférences (sur divers sujets et par des archéologues/paléoanthropologues de renom, dont Yves Coppens), des activités (taille du silex, atelier feu…), des visites du site avec les archéologues qui l'ont récemment fouillé (équipe de C. Beauval et T. Bismuth). Si vous êtes du coté de Brive ou dans le Sud-ouest, n'hésitez pas y passer, sans oublier de visiter l'excellent Musée de La Chapelle-aux-Saints. La cerise sur le gâteau est naturellement le retour du squelette original (prêt du Musée de l'homme) sur le site.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
PRACTICAL EVOLUTION ::: EVOLUTION PRATIQUE
Since I am a little busy with several projects right now, I want to point at John Hawks' blog (new format, new design, same brilliance and same fun) and his new series of posts on some aspects of evolutionary theory that we think we understand and/or that we like to misinterpret. He announced a post every Friday, so make sure to head that way on Fridays. The first post is on weeds species… Many thanks John! ::: Je suis un peu pris par différent projets mais je ne pouvais m'empêcher de signaler non seulement le (merveilleux) blog de John Hawks (en anglais) et sa nouvelle série d'articles sur l'évolution, dans une perspective « pratique », au travers desquels il va tenter de rectifier quelques erreurs d'interprétation quant à la théorie de l'évolution (synthèse moderne). Il envisage publier un article tous les vendredis, j'ai hâte ! Le premier article est sur les mauvaises herbes… Un grand merci John !
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
PLAY IT ONCE, SAM. FOR OLD TIMES’ SAKE.
More news from the field with the discovery of a Homo erectus mandible at the site of Thomas 1 quarry near Casablanca (Morocco) by a franco-moroccan team led by J.-P. Raynal (CNRS/U of Bordeaux I /PACEA/Ministère de la Culture). The same site yielded a half mandible in 1969 but without any archaeological context. More recently, several teeth were found in a layer above, one tooth was dated to 500,000 years ago. According to the short press release, the mandible was associated with typical Acheulean lithic industry and faunal remains (baboons, gazelles, equines, bears, rhinoceroses, and elephants). More soon, I am sure. Official press release from the CNRS website ::: Décidément, les découvertes se succèdent cet été avec la découverte d'une nouvelle mandibule attribuée à Homo erectus sur le site de Thomas 1 quarry près de Casablanca (Maroc) par une équipe franco-marocaine dirigée par J.-P. Raynal (CNRS/U de Bordeaux I /PACEA/Ministère de la Culture). La moitié d'une mandibule avait été découverte sur le site en 1969 mais hors contexte archéologique. Plus récemment, quatre dents avaient déjà été mises au jour dans un niveau sus-jacent et une date de 500,000 ans avait été obtenue pour l'une d'elles. Selon l'annonce officielle, l'industrie lithique est un Acheuléen typique accompagné de restes de faune (babouins, gazelles, équidés, ours, rhinocéros et éléphants). En espérant plus d'info sous peu…
Monday, June 30, 2008
NEWS FROM THE FIELD ::: DECOUVERTES RECENTES
Some news from the field with a new Neandertal/Mousterian site in southern England (Beedings) excavated by a team led by M. Pope (Archaeology South East/UCL Institute of Archaeology; funded by English Heritage). The hype about the site stems from some of the excavators' claims that consider the stone tools, which "Unlike earlier, more typical Neanderthal tools these were made with long, straight blades - blades which were then turned into a variety of bone and hide processing implements, as well as lethal spear points." (M. Pope). I commented before on blades/laminar implements as a (weak) argument for technological complexity and behavioral modernity. Since little else is known about the site and the lithic assemblages (how was the Mousterian/Neandertal attribution made?), I will wait for the actual publication to comment further. Exciting stuff anyway. Not much on the site yet but check out this short report (RedOrbit). The other discovery is a (Middle Pleistocene?) jaw with 3 teeth reported by Reuters. The site is a small cave in the Sicevo gorge in southern Serbia currently excavated by a team led by Dusan Mihailovic (Belgrade University). Solely based on the Reuters interview bits, the jaw is believed to dated from 250,000 to 130,000 years ago (according to D. Mihailovic; no details why except that it was found below several Mousterian layers). No information regarding the morphology of the mandible but I am sure we will know more very soon… ::: Quelques récentes découvertes…un site moustérien dans le sud de l'Angleterre (Bleedings) en cours de fouille (équipe dirigée par M. Pope, Archaeology South East/UCL Institute of Archaeology et English Heritage). Peu d'information sur le site lui-même ou les assemblages lithiques mais, selon quelques bribes d'interview, il semble que l'industrie soit assez laminaire. Je ne crois pas que l'aspect laminaire d'une industrie suffise pour la définir comme technologiquement complexe ou « moderne » ; on attendra la publication de l'industrie pour savoir ce qu'il en est réellement. Un court article (RedOrbit) avec quelques autres détails sur le site. L'autre découverte est une mandibule avec 3 dents issues de la fouille d'une petite grotte dans le sud de la Serbie par une équipe dirigée par Dusan Mihailovic (Université de Belgrade). Pour l'instant, il s'agit seulement d'une dépêche Reuters mais il semble que la mandibule pourrait être datée entre 250,000 et 130,000 ans (car plusieurs occupations moustériennes datées au-dessus). Pas d'information sur la mandibule, le site, les dates proposées, à suivre donc…
Friday, June 20, 2008
CHIMP COPULATION CALLS & SOCIAL EVOLUTION ::: COPULATION & CHIMPANZES
An article from PLOS One (Beta version and open access) about female chimpanzees' copulation calls observed in the wild (Uganda) and their significance for our current understanding of some aspects of primate social evolution (Townsend et al 2008). Female chimpanzees tend to be much less vocal than other primates (especially baboons). According to the authors, copulations are in fact silent 2/3 of the time (more acute awareness of social context?). It also appears that female chimpanzees are more likely to be vocal when higher-ranking males are around while they are much less vocal when higher-ranking females are around. Since young females necessarily move within another group (to avoid incest), they do not want to advertise their "relationship" with high-ranking males. Higher-ranking females could eventually intervene if they witness such "relationship". The main point of this study is that copulation calls are parts of a strategy designed by females. Female chimpanzees display sexual readiness via sexual organ swelling, as many other primate species. However, in contrast to other primates, they are only fertile for one day during that period. The authors argue that they however vocalize all through the cycle concealing the time of their most fertile day from the males. The point is to make sure that paternity is not clearly established so support will eventually come from many fathers. The evolutionary implications of this study are difficult to identify since we are more likely organized in pair-bond relationships and vocalizations during copulation have likely other meanings or functions for our species. Yet, human sexual vocalizations have likely many functions including communication, especially in hunter-gatherer populations where privacy can be limited as stressed by Townsend et al. (2008). ::: Un nouvel article publié dans PLOS One (Version Beta et donc accès gratuit) sur les appels de chimpanzés femelles durant l'accouplement observés en milieu naturel (en Ouganda) et leur rôle pour élucider certains aspects de l'évolution sociale des primates (Townsend et al 2008). Les femelles chimpanzés sont beaucoup moins loquaces que d'autres primates (babouins en particulier). Selon les auteurs de l'étude, l'accouplement est en effet silencieux 2 fois sur 3, peut-être à cause d'une conscience accrue du contexte social. Il apparaît aussi que les chimpanzés femelles sont plus loquaces dés lors que des males de rang supérieur sont présents alors qu'elles sont aussi beaucoup moins loquaces lorsque des femelles de rang supérieur ne sont pas loin. Puisque les jeunes femelles s'intègrent à un nouveau groupe (pour évider l'inceste), elles n'ont pas intérêt à rendre public leurs relations avec des males de rang supérieur. Dans certains cas, les femelles de rang supérieur pourraient intervenir durant l'accouplement pour séparer les amants. L'argument central de cet article est que les cris durant l'accouplement font en fait partie d'une stratégie de la part des femelles. Alors que l'aspect des organes génitaux femelles est un signe exprimant leur capacité à reproduire, les chimpanzés femelles ne sont fertiles que pendant une journée. Les auteurs de l'article ont en revanche observé qu'elles vocalisent durant toute la durée de leur cycle de reproduction suggérant ainsi qu'elles dissimulent le moment où elles sont effectivement fertiles. Leur but est de ne pas permettre aux males d'établir leur lien de paternité, ainsi plusieurs males pourront aider plus tard. Les implications de cette étude quant à notre compréhension de notre propre évolution sont un peu difficiles à évaluer car notre espèce est davantage organisée en paire/couple alors que les cris/vocalisations durant l'accouplement ont peut-être d'autres fonctions au sein de notre espèce. Il n'en reste pas moins que ces vocalisations peuvent être considérées comme un moyen efficace de communication, surtout dans des sociétés de chasseurs-cueilleurs au sein desquelles le niveau d'intimité est souvent limité comme le souligne Townsend et al. (2008). REFERENCES Townsend, S., T. Deschner and K. Zuberbühler 2008 Female Chimpanzees Use Copulation Calls Flexibly to Prevent Social Competition. PLoS ONE 3(6):e2431.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
CELEBRATING DARWIN ::: LA FETE A DARWIN
July 1st will be the start of 18 months of celebration of the publication of On the Origins of Species and the 200th anniversary of C. Darwin (Feb 12th 2009). Check you the nice New York Times column by Olivia Judson (The Wild Side) on these festivities and Darwin. Should we celebrate Darwin even though he became the icon of the theory of evolution overshadowing all the other many naturalists working on the same topic? You bet…and let's celebrate the other ones too! More soon I am sure… especially on the new books recently published on personal aspects of Charles' life… ::: Le premier Juillet prochain sera aux Etats-Unis le début d'une série de célébrations en l'honneur de C. Darwin et l'anniversaire de la naissance du grand Charles (12 Février 2009). Olivia Judson, dans le New York Times d'hier, s'interroge sur la validité de ces célébrations pour conclure qu'en effet Darwin mérite toutes ces honneurs et plus… la question est comment Darwin s'est transformé en une icône représentant la théorie de l'évolution alors que certains autres (Lamarck et compagnie) sont restés un peu oubliés ou ne sont en tout cas pas célébrés avec moult teeshirts… cela devrait être amusant…a bientôt avec quelques commentaires sur les nouveaux ouvrages publiés (en anglais) sur Darwin et quelques éléments de sa vie…
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Mme Denise de Sonneville-Bordes
If you haven't already heard the sad news, Mme Denise de Sonneville-Bordes died in Gradignan (France) on May 22nd. She was buried in Carsac on May 28th. Mme Bordes, as she was often called, made a great contribution to Paleolithic Studies by applying the method and systematics developed by her husband, François Bordes, for the Lower and Middle Paleolithic to Western European Upper Paleolithic assemblages. She taught at the Institut de Préhistoire et Géologie du Quaternaire of the University of Bordeaux (created in 1951 and directed by F. Bordes from 1956 to 1981) for most of her life. MAIN PUBLICATIONS Sonneville-Bordes, D. de 1960 Le Paléolithique Supérieur en Perigord. Delmas, Bordeaux. 1961 L'âge de la pierre. Que Sais-Je? Presses universitaires de France, Paris. 1963 Upper Paleolithic cultures in Western Europe. Science 42:347-355. 1966 L'Evolution du Paléolithique supérieur en Europe occidental et sa signification. Bulletin de la Société Préhistorique Française 63:3-34. Sonneville-Bordes, D. de and J. Perrot 1953 Essai d'adaptation des méthodes statistiques au Paléolithique supérieur. Premiers résultats. Bulletin de la Societe Prehistorique Francaise 50:323-333. 1954 Lexique typologique du Paléolithique supérieur. Outillage lithique: I Grattoirs-II Outils solutréens. Bulletin de la Société Préhistorique Française LI:327-335. 1955 Lexique typologique du Paléolithique supérieur. Outillage lithique: III Outils composites-Perçoirs. Bulletin de la Société Préhistorique Française LII:76-79. 1956 Lexique typologique du Paléolithique supérieur. Outillage lithique: IV Burins. Bulletin de la Société Préhistorique Française LIII:408-412.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
LITHIC RAW MATERIAL SPECIAL
A series of excellent articles in the Journal of Archaeological Science (In Press or published) on lithic raw material and Oldowan behavior (Braun et al. 2008), raw material sources identification around Atapuerca (Spain; Navazo et al. 2008) and raw material exploitation in the French Middle Paleolithic (Fernandes et al. 2008) . I just wanted to point at the articles and I will comment on some of them very soon… REFERENCES Braun, D., T. Plummer, P. Ditchfield, J. Ferraro, D. Maina, L. Bishop and R. Potts 2008 Oldowan behavior and raw material transport: perspectives from the Kanjera Formation. Journal of Archaeological Science (In Press):1-17. Fernandes, P., J.-P. Raynal and M.-H. Moncel 2008 Middle Palaeolithic raw material gathering territories and human mobility in the southern Massif Central, France: first results from a petro-archaeological study on flint. Journal of Archaeological Science xxx(In Press):1-14. Navazo, M., A. Colina, S. Dominguez-Bella and A. Benito-Calvo 2008 Raw stone material supply for Upper Pleistocene settlements in Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain): flint characterization using petrographic and geochemical techniques. Journal Of Archaeological Science (35):1961-1973.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
QUICK LINK: THE NERONIAN AND SLIMAK 2008
I know Julien at A very remote period indeed posted on the previous Slimak article (Slimak 2007; in French) with comments on the Neronian so make sure to check it out.
REFERENCES
Slimak, L.
2007 Le Neronien et la structure historique du basculement du Paleolithique moyen au Paleolithique superieur en France mediterraneenne. Comptes Rendus Palevol (6):301-309.
2008 The Neronian and the historical structure of cultural shifts from Middle to Upper Palaeolithic in Mediterranean France. Journal of Archaeological Science xxx(In Press):xx.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
MIDDLE STONE AGE ENGRAVED OCHRE FROM KLEIN KLIPHUIS (SOUTH AFRICA): MACKAY AND WELZ 2008
What’s first striking is the resemblance of that new block with the ones from Blombos Cave (Henshilwood et al. 2002) with crosshatched lines and polished surfaces. Clear striae are visible on the other side; they are interpreted as resulting from ochre grinding by the authors. A third surface resulting from knapping the block (intentionally or accidentally?) was also identified. Check out the high-quality pictures throughout the article and the discussion regarding the succession and chronology of the lines and grooves.
The reconstruction of the stratigraphy based on the lithic industry seems to place the block into one of the Howiesons Poort/Post-Howiesons Poort layers (Layer D2; from 80kya to 50kya for the authors; likely closer to 50kya for a typical Post-HP assemblages). The rightfully cautious authors do not make any claims regarding the symbolic nature of the block: “Any such comparisons, however, would have to be treated with great wariness. For example, the recurrence of cross-hatched engravings in multiple instances might be taken to imply the existence of a convention (e.g., Mellars 2006), however, cross-hatching is also the simplest of schemes likely to be considered to reflect an element of design.” (idid.) and see also their take on “motif Versus design” debate.
I also share the authors’ views regarding the scarcity of data and theoretical issues associated with our current understanding of the origins of modern behavior: “In this regard, the concept of ‘modernity’ and its seemingly inextricable linkage to behaviours that need not have any archaeological expression, has probably obscured substantially more than it has clarified.” (idid.) Thanks to such find and cautious interpretation, we are however moving forward. Neat.
Also, on a similar topic, make sure to check Julien’s post on the most recent finds (shell beads) at the site of Grotte des Pigeons in Morrocco by Bouzouggar and colleagues, also quickly discussed in the Mackay and Welz article.
REFERENCES
Henshilwood, C., F. D'Errico, R. Yates, Z. Jacobs, C. Tribolo, G. Duller, N. Mercier, J. Sealy, H. Valladas, I. Watts and A. Wintle 2002
Emergence of modern human behaviour: Middle Stone Age engravings from South Africa. Science (295):1278-1280.
Mackay, A. and A. Welz 2008
Engraved ochre from a Middle Stone Age context at Klein Kliphuis in the Western Cape of South Africa. Journal of Archaeological Science (35):1521-1532.
Mellars, P. 2006
Going east: new genetic and archaeological perspectives on the modern human colonisation of Eurasia. Science (313):796-800.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
GIS, GOOGLE EARH AND PALEONTOLOGY: CONROY ET AL 2008
The main purpose of the Conroy at al. article is to demonstrate how Google Earth can indeed facilitate the exchange of basic geographical information. They illustrate that point with a current research project in southern Wyoming (The Great Divide Basin) targeting the collection of Paleocene and Eocene fossils from sedimentary rocks naturally exposed by erosion with a special focus on the evolution of early Tertiary mammals. For the purpose of plotting their finds, they created a series of map layers (6 based on the data they needed to isolate), they then converted these files into a specific format (KML, Keyhole Markup Language) that can be instantly read by Google Earth. Truly the easier format to work with when dealing with Google Earth or exchanging maps/map layers across platforms. As emphasized in the article, we are talking “drag-and-drop” type of manipulations, easy and painless. You can then visualize the collected data and start basic analysis of location Vs slope, location Vs geological bed…
I don’t think the authors insisted enough on the possibility of sharing geographical, and other types of, data online. While paleoanthropologists are increasingly using GIS applications and now fairly complex analytical tools (embedded into ArcView), copyright issues will soon require the creation of new publication standards and new rules/laws regarding the exchange and diffusion of such data. Exciting times but without potential problems. I think the cost of the applications is becoming less of an issue and don’t get fooled there are cheaper (some free) GIS applications out there. Also, Google Earth is not the only online platform…Since I am using ArcView & co, I won’t publicize this too much but it’s out there… can I get that ESRI tee shirt now?
UPDATE: I just found out that Anthropology.net posted on that same article with similar comments and great links. The post is here.
REFERENCES
Conroy, G.
2006 Creating, displaying, and querying interactive paleoanthropological maps using GIS: an example from the Uinta Basin, Utah, Evol. Anthropol. 15 (2006), pp. 217–223. Full Text via CrossRef
Conroy, G., R. Anemonec, J. Van Regenmorterc and A. Addison
2008 Google Earth, GIS, and the Great Divide: A new and simple method for sharing paleontological data. Journal of Human Evolution (In Press):1-5.
Monday, May 05, 2008
THANKS TO THE AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
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