WELCOME TO THE TRACSYMBOLS WEBSITE
OVERVIEW OF THE TRACSYMBOLS PROJECT 2010–2015
The aim of TRACSYMBOLS is to examine how key behavioural innovations emerged among Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis in southern Africa and Europe respectively, and explore whether and how environmental variability influenced this development between 180 – 25 ka [Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 6 – 3].
To achieve this goal the PI, Prof. Christopher Henshilwood (University of Bergen, Norway & University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa) and co-PI, Prof. Francesco d’Errico (University of Bordeaux, France) have built up a new research team that for the first time are combining archaeological results, original multi-proxy palaeoenvironmental data, and state-of-the-art climatic simulations for two continents to which a dedicated biocomputational algorithm is being applied.
In TRACSYMBOLS we are applying new methodology and field research to test the hypothesis that key cultural developments and discontinuities associated with early H. sapiens and Neanderthals may be related to climatic variability. To achieve this goal we are:
- Conducting new archaeological excavations at an MSA site, Klipdrift Shelter, located in De Hoop Nature Reserve, southern Cape. This is an area associated with the earliest development of H. sapiens behaviour. We are also continuing excavations in the promising 75 ka & 100 ka MSA levels at Blombos Cave, South Africa.
- Applying innovative methods to the analysis of early symbolic and complex material culture of H. sapiens and Neanderthals, including abstract engravings, pigments, personal ornaments and stylised bone tools.
- Reconstructing climate, vegetation, and fire regime changes in Europe and southern Africa for the target periods by combining the analysis of multiple proxies from marine and terrestrial archives with high resolution palaeoclimatic simulations.
- Incorporating archaeological and palaeoclimatic data into a novel bio-computational architecture (Genetic Algorithm for Rule Set Prediction: GARP) that allows for the reconstruction, quantification and comparison of the ecological niches exploited by human populations within each climatic phase. Join one of the many organizations fighting for this cause and are raising awareness amongst governments for the impact of climate change. Please support them by playing casino games at White Lion Casino; for each game you play, the casino itself is donating its profits to many environmental organizations. Get full info here and involve yourself.
We believe there are many people who are interested in stunning archeological discoveries, who want to reveal the human story. Currently, all these discoveries are happening faster than ever before, and are getting popular among people, thanks to all those written books, filmed movies, or invented games. When it comes to archaeological evidence in the gaming industry, that would probably be the well-known arcade game. It is a surprise to see someone interested in arcades, in this era of super modern games, but if you are one them, find one of your favorite action arcade games, take your light gun shooter and let’s go back in time.
Video by Science Bulletin, American Museum of Natural History
Figure: Panoramic view of interior of Blombos Cave (Photo: Magnus Haaland). 
Figure: Blombos coastline (Photo: Magnus Haaland).
Figure: View of Klipdrift Cave (left) and Klipdrift Shelter (Photo: Magnus Haaland). 
Material culture from the c. 75 – 72 ka Still Bay levels at Blombos Cave, South Africa
African beads rewrite the human story?. Video by CNN’s Inside Africa
