Bailey, G.N. and King, G.C.P. (2010) Landscapes of human evolution: models and methods of tectonic geomorphology and the reconstruction of hominin landscapes. Journal of Human Evolution . pp. 1-24. ISSN 0047-2484 (In Press)
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Published Version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2010.01.004
Abstract
This paper examines the relationship between complex and tectonically active landscapes and patterns of human evolution. We show how active tectonics can produce dynamic landscapes with geomorphological and topographic features that may be critical to long-term patterns of hominin land use but that are not typically addressed in landscape reconstructions based on existing geological and paleoenvironmental principles. We describe methods of representing topography at a range of scales using measures of roughness based on digital elevation data, and combine the resulting maps with satellite imagery and ground observations to reconstruct features of the wider landscape as they existed at the time of hominin occupation and activity. We apply these methods to sites in South Africa, where relatively stable topography facilitates reconstruction, and demonstrate the presence of previously unrecognized tectonic effects and their implications for the interpretation of hominin habitats and land use. In parts of the East African Rift, reconstruction is more difficult because of dramatic changes since the time of hominin occupation, while fossils are often found in places where activity has now almost ceased. However, we show that original, dynamic landscape features can be assessed by analogy with parts of the Rift that are currently active and indicate how this approach can complement other sources of information to add new insights and pose new questions for future investigation of hominin land use and habitats.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | This is an author-created pdf of an Accepted Author Manuscript (AAM). Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
| Keywords: | East African Rift, Hominin landscapes, Roughness, Satellite imagery, South Africa, Tectonics, Topographic complexity |
| Academic Units: | The University of York > Archaeology (York) |
| ID Code: | 11178 |
| Deposited By: | Prof Geoff Bailey |
| Deposited On: | 26 Aug 2010 15:30 |
| Last Modified: | 26 Aug 2010 15:30 |
| Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2010.01.004 |
| Status: | In Press |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Identification Number: | doi:10.1016/j.jhevol.2010.01.004 |
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- Landscapes of human evolution: model and methods of tectonic geomorphology and the reconstruction of hominin landscapes. (deposited 20 Aug 2010 11:22)
- Landscapes of human evolution: models and methods of tectonic geomorphology and the reconstruction of hominin landscapes. (deposited 26 Aug 2010 15:30) [Currently Displayed]
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