LEARN ABOUT DRIMOLEN FIELD SCHOOL SOUTH AFRICA 24 th JUNE 15 th JULY ARCHAEOLOGY GEOARCHAEOLOGY PALAEOANTHROPOLOGY STUDENT INFORMATION

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1 2016 DRIMOLEN FIELD SCHOOL SOUTH AFRICA 24 th JUNE 15 th JULY The Drimolen Field School provides students with a unique opportunity to work at a UNESCO World Heritage fossil site in the Cradle of Humankind, South Africa. LEARN ABOUT ARCHAEOLOGY GEOARCHAEOLOGY PALAEOANTHROPOLOGY Staff and students of the 2015 Field School STUDENT INFORMATION Supported by

2 THE DRIMOLEN SITE DRIMOLEN PALAEOCAVE BACKGROUND ABOVE: Location of Drimolen. Drimolen palaeocave was discovered in 1992 near the famous early hominin & early stone age bearing palaeocave sites of Swartkrans and Sterkfontein, in the Cradle of Humankind UNESCO World Heritage Area; about 40 km outside of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is the third richest fossil hominin site in Southern Africa, having produced over 130 hominin fossils representing Paranthropus robustus and early Homo. At least one hominin fossil has been recovered during every year of excavation. In 2015 the field school students found a cranium of a sub-adult early Homo individual; as well as a juvenile Paranthropus tooth. These fossils have all come from an area of the site called the Main Quarry, which is estimated to have been infilled with fossils & archaeology between 2.0 & 1.4 million years (Ma) ago. BELOW: Aerial view of the Main Quarry & Makondo EXCAVATIONS BACKGROUND In the field school also started work on a new deposit, called the Drimolen Makondo. This new deposit is much older than the Main Quarry & likely formed between 3.3 & 2.6 Ma, the same time period as Sterkfontein, where the early hominin species, Australopithecus africanus has been found. We used ground penetrating radar in to try & establish the extent of the Makondo & other fossil deposits on the hillside above the Main Quarry & exploring these will continue to be a major focus of 2016, along with continued excavation in the rich hominin bearing Main Quarry.

3 TEACHING WHAT TO EXPECT THE DETAILS The Field School is designed as a full introduction to Palaeontological, Palaeoanthropological and Archaeological work in South Africa with an extensive teaching component both theoretical and practical. In particular it focuses on methods for the excavation and recovery of fossil bone material from such sites. Currently the field school is being run on a more informal basis and so non-la Trobe students will not be able to get university credit for attending the field school. La Trobe students will be able to enroll in a reading course with Prof Herries if they are in their 2 nd or 3 rd year (any course costs are extra if they wish to do this, see cost). First preference will be given to students who are also interested in undertaking honours or post-graduate work with Prof Herries (in Archaeological Science/Geoarchaeology at La Trobe in Melbourne), Dr Adams (in Palaeontology at Monash in Melbourne) or Dr Menter (in Palaeoanthropology at the U. Johannesburg) and those with aligned interests at an undergraduate or masters level. While graduate students will be considered, the main focus of the field school is designed for preparation towards higher degree research. As such, there is an extensive teaching component to the field school, both practical and classroom-based. DAILY LECTURES LECTURES ARE GIVEN IN A RELAXED ENVIRONMENT TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE RIGHT FOUNDATION TO BUILD PRACTICAL SKILLS THE DRIMOLEN SITE KARST GEOLOGY & CAVE STRATIGRAPHY SITE FORMATION & TAPHONOMY GEOCHRONOLOGY PALAEOENVIRONMENT & PALAEODIETS THE SOUTH AFRICAN HOMININ RECORD ARCHAEOLOGY FROM ESA TO LSA THE PALAEONTOLOGICAL RECORD FAUNAL ANALYSIS & PALAEOECOLOGY SURVEY & EXCAVATION TECHNIQUES GROUND PENETRATING RADAR

4 TEACHING HOMININS & ARCHAEOLOGY ABOVE: Oldowan style quartz tool RIGHT: Dr Menter with DNH 7 BELOW: Possible bone tools MEET THE HOMININS FOSSILS AND ARCHAEOLOGY Drimolen Main Quarry dates to sometime between 2.0 and 1.4 million years ago and contains numerous fossils of early Homo and Paranthropus robustus, including DNH7, the most complete skull of P. robustus found to date; and a rare female specimen. The Main Quarry deposit is also unique in that has produced some of the youngest infant hominin fossils ever discovered in Africa as well as many female Paranthropus robustus fossils. The Main Quarry is also incredibly rich in primate fossils and has also produced some of the earliest bone tools and a small assemblage of Oldowan-like stone tools. The new Drimolen Makondo site is expected to be much older, between 3.3 and 2.6 Ma and as such is contemporary with the Sterkfontein and Makapansgat sites, which record Australopithecus africanus. No hominins or archaeology have yet been recovered from this deposit, but we have to date only undertaken one season here and have not fully exposed the deposit. However, it does contain numerous partial skeletons that are beautifully preserved.

5 EXCAVATING WHAT TO EXPECT THE MORE YOU DIG, THE MORE YOU FIND Students will also be taught excavation techniques, field sampling techniques and field survey. While there is a teaching component of the field school the main purpose is excavation, which can be strenuous and requires that students are fit and healthy. We generally excavate 6 days a week with a weekly trip to the museums to see the fossils, to the other fossil sites and then on safari. While the field school is designed to be a fun and exciting experience it is not a holiday and we will be working long days to get as much accomplished as possible; more opportunities for you to find a hominin! Students excavating at the Main Quarry and Makondo

6 ACCOMMODATION & AMENITIES GAME RESERVE SAFARI LODGE WHEN IN AFRICA We will be staying at the Safari Lodge in the game reserve on which the site is located. This is a tented safari camp that has all the modern conveniences. Each tent sleeps four or two people each and are shared, with male and female tents allocated. Each has electricity, a bathroom and a balcony from which to watch the sun go down. The safari camp lodge has a large common area with further toilets, electricity, a fireplace, pool table and braai pit (South African BBQ). In addition, there is a large industrial kitchen as well as a laundry room. CATERING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER All meals are prepared by a cook and are included. Please be sure to let Prof Herries know of any specific dietary requirements early on. A trip will also be covered (but not the alcohol, you buy that yourself) to the famous Carnivore Restaurant where, if you wish you can eat a range of African game meat including Crocodile, Ostrich, Kudu, Springbok, Zebra and often much more. The field school will not be dry, however, alcohol is not provided and is at your own expense. Moderation will be expected because it is a tight and busy schedule. A hangover does not count as being ill or a reason not to be able to work.

7 SAFARI PILANESBERG GAME RESERVE SEE THE BIG FIVE Students will partake in a wildlife safari at Pilanesberg Game Reserve, an ancient extinct volcano. Here you will potentially be able to see the Big 5 (although being wild this is not guaranteed) as well as other extant versions of the species you may find during excavation. In 2014 everyone saw elephant, rhino, buffalo and lions and some saw hyenas as well as a range of other animals (e.g. hippos, crocodiles). In 2015 we gain saw lion, as well as leopard and wild dog. There are also Iron Age remains in the Park that can be visited. A trip to a local market will also be arranged

8 DON T HANG AROUND! PLACES ARE LIMITED SO APPLY NOW! CONTACT PROF ANDY HERRIES FOR AN APPLICATION FORM! Costs apply! A.HERRIES@LATROBE.EDU.AU ALSO see our video on Youtube: v=xxlmkhbw4p8