A new paleontological research project in the Busidima-Dikika area of the Afar region

WIC Nov 04, 2000

 This paleontological project, commenced in 1999  is lead by Dr. Zeresenay Alemseged and scientists from Ethiopia, France and USA are involved. The research is carried in two chronologically distinct sediments: the Busidima-Telalak (younger than 1 Ma)  and Dikika (older than 3.2 Ma) areas. The scientists are now back in to these areas to pursue their field research.

The Busidima-Telalak area is adjacent to  the Gona and the Middle Awash research areas. Mammalian fauna are abundant at the site; and preservation is excellent.  One of the main aims of the research group will be to survey systematically for hominid remains. Based on the fauna already collected the age of the sediments is approximately between 800 000  and 200 000 yrs. Nonetheless, the total faunal composition seems to be different from other sites of comparable age. Thus a systematic collection of non-hominid fossils will be undertaken in order to understand the faunal composition of the new area thoroughly and increase the data on this poorly known time period. Fossils of the new area will make it possible to test paleoenvironmental hypotheses of that time period. It is generally accepted that environmental Understanding will contribute to answer questions such as : in what type of environment did the Homo erectus – Homo sapiens transition took place? It may also provide insight into the exodus of H. sapiens into the rest of the world.

The preliminary identification of the stone tools from the Busidima-Telalak region is that they are Acheulean. Early Acheulean artifacts dated to 1.4 Ma were recovered from Konso, Ethiopia where Homo erectus and Australopithecus boisei fossils have been recovered. On the other hand both Oldwan and Acheulean technologies, dated to circa 0.6 Ma, were encountered in sites around Bodo, in the Middle Awash, reflecting the use of different technologies in different geographic settings. There is clear evidence that Achulean technology lasted for at least 1 myr. Tools recovered from the new area will shed light on the evolution of the Acheulean industry. This finding will add to the information about the earliest material culture of possible late Homo erectus and/or archaic Homo sapiens.

 The Dikika is south of, and across the Awash River from, the Hadar research area where numerous fossils of Australopithecus afarensis have been recovered. The region is also north of the Middle Awash research area, where the earliest member of the Hominidae, Ardipithecus ramidus, has been found. In the 1970s, geological study of the area was conducted by the IARE (International Afar Research Expedition) and four hominid specimens, belonging to the species Australopithecus afarensis, were collected (eg. AL400-1). Not since then, however, has paleoanthropological and geological research been conducted in the area.

During the last brief visit by the research group in 1999, several Pliocene fossils, primates, suids, bovids, elephants, and of other non-hominid taxa identifiable to species and genus level were encountered. The group will this year concentrate refining the stratigraphy of the oldest members of the Hadar formation and will also conduct a systematic survey for fossils, especially hominids. Details about the site and achivements of the research group will be discussed in a forth coming paper by Dr. Zeresenay Alemseged, to be posted on this web-page.