Paleoanthropological Research in Southern Ethiopia

该项目主要基于在埃塞俄比亚的实地和实验室研究，目的是1)从孔索早更新世沉积物中恢复人类、动物和人工制品遗骸，2)讨论它们在解释人类进化和适应方面的意义。在94和95季节，我们进行了189天的研究，结果总结如下。地质工作包括：1)建立研究区年代地层格架；2)为考古发掘提供支持。在两个野外季节中，采集了大约360个剖面，300个凝灰岩样本用于实验室比较，15个凝灰岩样本用于Ar/Ar测年，32个样本（粘土、方解石、硅藻土）用于初步的古环境评价。早更新世化石层序厚度超过200米，合并剖面内至少有26种不同的凝灰岩。我们有初步的Ar/Ar日期在1.3至1.9兆年之间。古生物收集主要在项目确定的17个地点中的7个进行。发现了4000多个可识别的标本，其中包括7个原始人标本。哺乳动物有8目21科至少34属。这些动物遗迹大致可划分为3个地层带。来自较低地层的组合包含约2万古台币的已知古物种，而中上层则产生了约1.5万古台币的东非遗址特有的分类群。进一步的生物年代学分析即将到来。考古发掘工作在KGA4、KGA8和KGA10进行。KGA10的挖掘工作主要集中在景观方法中对单个水平面的多个位置进行采样。KGA4和KGA8的发掘旨在揭示丰富的早期阿舍利组合。这两项活动都将继续进行，以进一步获得与了解早期人类行为有关的原始数据。

This project was primarily based on field and laboratory research in Ethiopia, with the aim of 1) recovering homnind, faunal and artifact remains from the early Pleistocene deposits of Konso, and 2) discussing their significance in the interpretation of hominid evolution and adaptation. In the 94 and 95 seasons, we have conducted 189 days of research, the results of which are summarized below.Geological work consisted of 1) establishing the chronostratigraphic framework of the study area, and 2) providing support to archeological excavations. In two field seasons, approximately 360 sections were logged, 300 tuff samples taken for laboratory comparisons, 15 tuff samples taken for Ar/Ar dating, and 32 samples (clay, calcite, diatomite) taken for preliminary paleoenvironmental evaluations. The fossiliferous early Pleistoene sequence is over 200 meters thick, with at least 26 different tuffs occurring within the combined section. We have preliminary Ar/Ar dates ranging from 1.3 to 1.9 myr.Paleontological collecting were undertaken primarily at 7 of the 17 localities defined by the project. Over 4000 identifiable specimens were recovered, including 7 hominid specimens. Eight orders, 21 families and at least 34 genera are represented in the mammalian assemblage. These faunal remains can mostly be allocated to 3 stratigraphic zones. The assemblage from the lower strata contains archaic species known from around 2 myr, while the mid to upper levels yield taxa characteristic of East African sites of circa 1.5 myr. Further biochronological analysis is forthcoming.Archeological excavations were conducted at KGA4, KGA8 and KGA10. Excavations at KGA10 focussed on sampling multiple locations of a single horizon in a landscape approach. Excavations at KGA4 and KGA8 were intended to expose rich early Acheulean assemblages. Both activities will be continued to further obtain primary data relevant to the understanding of early hominid behavior.