Central Scientific Services and Synthesis

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The major aims of core project 2 (C2) are (i) the provisioning of scientific data management services and the compilation of remote-sensing and model supported higher-level data sets requested by the subprojects, (ii) the complementation of the view on past human environment interactions by ancient DNA analysis, (iii) the provisioning of genomic and bioinformatics support, and (iv) the overall synthesis of the research outcome. The scientific data services will be extended to cover the extensive beetle records collected in P7 including 3D digital models of the species. Ground-penetrating radar observations will be used to map the Giant Molerats’ burrow structure (link to P4). Machine-learning approaches will be used to provide area-complete datasets. All datasets will be transferred to long-term data curation facilities to ensure data availability after the end of the RU. Besides these central services, the worldwide earliest record of human occupation in high altitude discovered during Phase 1 of the RU bears a tremendous potential for genomic analyses of ancient DNA to provide (i) direct confirmation of human presence, (ii) central insights into human evolution, (iii) higher taxonomic resolution for analysing plant and animal remains from sediments, and (iv) insights into the population genetic history of Giant Molerats as the ecosystem engineers and keystone species in the Bale Mountains ecosystem and as central food resource of MSA foragers. Finally, C2 will facilitate the collaborative process to derive a common synthesis of the environmental history across disciplines while also outlining remaining knowledge gaps, data and potential disciplinary contradictions.