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1St Uj Palaeo-Research Symposium PROGRAMME 1ST UJ PALAEO-RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM in combination with the 2ND PALAEO-TRACKS SYMPOSIUM Monday 13 November 2017 Funded by the African Origins Platform of the National Research Foundation of South Africa Through the Palaeo-TrACKS Research Programme 08:30 Arrival, coffee & loading of Power Point presentations Freshly brewed tea and coffee with a selection of freshly baked croissants, Danish pastries & muffins 09:00 5 min Welcome Prof Alex Broadbent (Executive Dean of Humanities & Professor of Philosophy, University of Johannesburg) Introduction of Chairs Morning session: Prof Kammila Naidoo, Humanities Deputy Dean Research & Professor of Sociology Afternoon session: Prof Marlize Lombard, Director of the Centre for Anthropological Research 09:05 10 min Opening address Prof Angina Parekh (Deputy Vice Chancellor: Academic and Institutional Planning, University of Johannesburg) SESSION 1: INVITED KEYNOTE LECTURES 09:15 30 min The Rising Star fossil discoveries and human origins Prof John Hawks (Vilas-Borghesi Distinguished Achievement Professor of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA) Abstract: Discoveries in the Dinaledi and Lesedi Chambers of the Rising Star cave system have transformed our knowledge of South African fossil hominins during the Middle Pleistocene. The research strategies undertaken in the Rising Star cave system provide a strong framework for inter- disciplinary work in palaeo-anthropology. This talk gives an overview of the Rising Star research project, focusing on the processes that have enabled effective collaboration across institutions and disciplines. 09:45 30 min Ancient genomes from southern Africa push modern human emergence to 300 000 years ago Prof Mattias Jakobsson (Professor of Genetics & Director of SciLife Lab's ancient-DNA facility, Uppsala University, Sweden & CfAR Associate at UJ) Abstract: Genetic studies consistently show that southern African Khoe-San populations carry more unique variants and more divergent lineages than any other living groups, and that they encompass the deepest divergence among modern-day humans. Recent molecular and bioinformatic developments have opened the possibility to access genetic information from ancient human remains, also from warm areas, allowing us to investigate the genetic landscape in prehistoric times. We present genome sequences from seven ancient individuals from KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa spanning 1500 years. The three oldest, Stone Age hunter-gatherers (~2000 years old), were genetically similar to current-day southern San groups. We estimate that all modern-day Khoe-San groups have 9-22% genetic material resulting from admixture with East Africans/Eurasians prior to the arrival of Iron Age farmers and over-sea colonists. Using traditional and new approaches, we estimate the deepest human population divergence time to between 350 000 and 260 000 years ago. This estimate increases the deepest divergence amongst modern humans, coinciding with anatomical developments of archaic humans into modern humans as represented in the local fossil record, and suggest that modern humans emerged around 300 000 years ago. 10:15 30 min How Homo became sapiens Prof Peter Gärdenfors (Senior Professor of Cognitive Science, Lund University, Sweden) Abstract: In this lecture, I trace the emergence of Homo sapiens as a co-evolution of cognition, cooperation and communication. In cognition, hominids have in particular developed planning for future goals, mindreading and causal thinking. As regards cooperation, we can cooperate about future goals and we show indirect reciprocity. Teaching is presented as a special form of cooperation that depends on advanced mindreading. 10:45 Group Photo of all Speakers and Chairs in the Foyer 25 min Tea break Freshly brewed tea and coffee or fruit juice with assorted sandwiches, wraps & hot snacks SESSION 2: UJ’S FOOTPRINT IN PALAEO-RESEARCH 11:10 20 min “Thoraces of Sediba and Naledi: Keystones to understanding Hominin body position?” Dr Shahed Nalla (Vice-Dean: Teaching and Learning of Health Sciences & Senior Lecturer in Human Anatomy and Physiology, University of Johannesburg & Research Associate, Evolutionary Studies Institute (ESI) and Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences, University of the Witwatersrand) Abstract: The thoracic skeleton may be considered a structural axis about which body regions namely the cervical, axillary (leading to the brachium of upper limb) and abdomino-pelvic (leading to femoral of lower limb) are positioned. The dearth of related costal and vertebral fossil remains make the thoracic region a challenge to study. Recent fossil material related to Australopithecus sediba and Homo naledi allowed for a thoracic shape of these species to be proposed. Orientation of the thorax and its shape guides to the overall body position and locomotion in these hominin species. 11:30 20 min Visualising the evolving landscapes of our early South African ancestors Prof Andy Herries and Colleagues (Associate Professor of Palaeo-anthropology & Geo-archaeology & Director of The Australian Archaeo-magnetism Laboratory & Australian Palaeo-science Field Schools in South Africa, La Trobe University, Australia & CfAR Associate at UJ) Abstract: Research funded by an Australian Research Council Discovery Grant (2017-2021) will use the fossil sites of Bolt’s Farm, Drimolen, Haasgat, and Hoogland to understand changing environments and landscapes in South Africa between ~2.6 and 1.8 million years ago. New dates from Bolts Farm show that some sites are as old as ~3.0 million years, whereas other sites are as young as ~1.4 million years. Haasgat and Drimolen, including the newly discovered Drimolen Makondo, date to between 2.3 and 1.8 million years, whereas Hoogland dates to between 3.1 and 2.6 million years. This spread of ages and geographic range from the very NE to SW exposures of the Gauteng Malmani dolomite allows us to look at both temporal and geographic variation in the late Pliocene to early Pleistocene of South Africa. This is a critical period in South Africa with the extinction of Australopithecus and the first occurrence of Paranthropus robustus and early Homo; as well as stone and bone tool technologies. Recent work has shown a much greater diversification of hominin species during this period, but as yet little to suggest a driver for this change. Excavations at Drimolen and Haasgat will be a central focus of our project along with regional geological studies at Bolt’s Farm and Hoogland. 11:50 20 min Tracing ancient cognition and knowledge systems through the Palaeolithic/Stone Age Prof Marlize Lombard and Colleagues (Professor of Stone Age Archaeology & Director of the Centre for Anthropological Research, University of Johannesburg) Abstract: Sometime during the Middle Stone Age, in sub-Saharan Africa, Homo sapiens evolved biologically, behaviourally and cognitively. Our research agenda is geared towards the generation of knowledge about all three of these evolutionary processes in the southern African context and how they relate to each other. The long-term aim is to create an integrated, detailed and holistic understanding of the evolution of our species in the region since about 500 000 years ago. Together we aim to explore: a) the Stone Age occupational history of southern Africa, b) behavioural and cognitive evolutionary trends during the Stone Age, and c) indigenous knowledge systems associated with the Middle and Later Stone Ages of southern Africa. 12:10 20 min Discussion 12:30 60 min Lunch Three-course buffet lunch with a selection of starters, 1 red-meat main dish, 1 white- meat main dish, 1 vegetarian dish and a selection of desserts SESSION 3: SHORT PAPERS ON PALAEO-RESEARCH PROJECTS AT UJ 13:30 15 min Knowledge-transfer systems in Stone Age South Africa Prof Anders Högberg & Marlize Lombard (Professor of Archaeology, Linnaeus University, Sweden & CfAR Associate at UJ) Abstract: In this paper we explore variations in Still Bay point-production strategies of 80-70 thousand years ago. We apply our approach in a regional context by comparing point assemblages from several sites. Our interpretation of stone point-production strategies implies inter-regional production conventions, but also highlights variability and intra-regional knapping strategies used for the production of Still Bay points. These strategies probably reflect flexibility in the organisation of knowledge-transfer systems at work during the later stages of the Middle Stone Age. 13:45 15 min Past and future fieldwork at Cave of Hearths and the landscape archaeology of Makapansgat Dr Patrick Randolph-Quinney (Senior Lecturer in Biological and Forensic Anthropology, University of Central Lancashire) Abstract: The Cave of Heaths represents one of the most important long-duration palaeo- archaeological sequences in southern Africa. With this presentation I will focus on understanding the Cave of Hearths in a wider landscape context, including recently discovered Earlier and Middle Stone Age deposits, which link the Makapansgat landscape with that of the southern Mogalakwena River and Waterberg regions. The discussion will cover project field protocols, including exploration and search strategies, handling of three-dimensional, multi-modal data from cave and landscape sites, and the recovery and analysis of bio-molecular trace evidence from sealed cave deposits. 14:00 15 min The Amanzi Springs archaeological project: Digital techniques in fieldwork and analysis Dr Matt Caruana (Post-Doctoral Fellow in Stone Age Archaeology,
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