The African origins of Asian and Australian lithic technologies: Exploring modern human origins and dispersals using new techniques of core analysis (2007-2009)

This project uses 3D analysis of cores to investigate two globally significant issues: the evolution of modern human diversity in Africa and the nature of human dispersals from Africa to Australia. The project addresses two key questions: 1. did the emergence of diversity in Africa result in regional stone tool industries? and 2. are cores found along potential dispersal routes similar enough to African industries to support the hypothesis of a rapid migration to Australia? Sites dating between 30-80kya will be analysed at museums on several continents to address these key questions. The study will help test theories relating to human evolution, Aboriginal origins, and the effects of long distance migration on Palaeolithic technologies.