Fields of study

The southern margin of South Africa hosts an extraordinary array of global biodiversity hotspots and an associated archaeological record that provides some of the earliest evidence of our species’ evolution to behavioural modernity. Combined, these aspects of South African natural and cultural heritage have made the region a focal point of both national and international research initiatives in recent decades. Logically, scientific initiatives have been centred on 1) modern ecology and 2) archaeology, reflecting the most obvious aspects of regional interest. However, despite the important discoveries and advancements that have been made, vital knowledge gaps remain. Most notable is the lack of information regarding the climatic and environmental drivers that have contributed to the evolution of regional biodiversity, and how these changes and this diversity influenced the evolution of our ancestors. This project aims to develop knowledge of past climate and environmental change along Africa’s southern margin and enable a fusion of disciplines for a more comprehensive understanding of both biodiversity and human-environment interactions in this fascinating region.