Evolution on the Nile: Faunal Regionalization and Continuity in the Pleistocene of Sudan

Project Information

PALEONILE

Grant agreement ID: 101045217

DOI

10.3030/101045217

EC signature date 26 July 2022

Start date 1 December 2022

End date 30 November 2027

Funded under

• European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

€ 1 999 515,00

EU contribution

€ 1 999 515,00

Coordinated by

MUSEUM FUR NATURKUNDE - LEIBNIZ-INSTITUT FUR EVOLUTIONS- UND BIODIVERSITATSFORSCHUNG AN DER HUMBOLDT-UNIVERSITAT ZU BERLIN
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PALEONILE (Evolution on the Nile: Faunal Regionalization and Continuity in the Pleistocene of Sudan)

Reporting period: 2022-12-01 to 2025-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The PALEONILE project addresses a major gap in the study of Africa’s Pleistocene fossil record. While eastern and southern Africa been extensively studied, this geographic focus has skewed our understanding of faunal regionalization and ecosystem evolution across the continent. The Nile River, as the longest river in the world, is hypothesized to have been a vital conduit for faunal and cultural dispersal between Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and beyond to Eurasia. However, this hypothesis lacks sufficient empirical evidence due to the scarcity of systematic paleontological studies along the Nile Basin.

PALEONILE’s overarching objective is to conduct interdisciplinary research in the Middle Nile River Basin (namely Sudan) to uncover and study Pleistocene fossils. This will provide insights into regional faunal dynamics, evolutionary trends, and the Nile’s role in dispersal. The project combines cutting-edge methodologies, including faunal ecology, Paleolithic morphometrics, geochronology, paleobiomolecular recovery, and sedimentary analysis, to address critical knowledge gaps. This pioneering research is expected to redefine our understanding of zoogeographic dynamics and contribute to a new synthesis of evolutionary, geological, and archaeological knowledge.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Since its inception in December 2022, PALEONILE has made substantial progress:

Fieldwork: Initial surveys were conducted between December 2022 and February 2023, documenting several significant fossil and archaeological sites in the Middle Nile Basin. However, subsequent fieldwork has been hindered by the civil conflict in Sudan.

Laboratory Analysis: The team has focused on analyzing samples collected before April 2023. This includes faunal, archaeological, and geochronological data. Notable achievements include the development of a robust geochronological framework and the description of new fossil material.

Team Establishment: An interdisciplinary team of researchers, including scholars from Sudan, was successfully assembled to address the project’s multifaceted objectives. Despite numerous political and technical challenges, the team has worked collaboratively to generate significant results.

Dissemination: Results have been shared through academic publications and over a dozen conference presentations, highlighting the project’s initial findings and methodologies.

Despite logistical challenges, the project continues to generate important new data, emphasizing the Middle Nile Basin's potential as a critical site for understanding Africa’s Pleistocene.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

PALEONILE has already begun to shift the paradigm in African paleontology by:

Expanding Geographic Scope: Establishing Sudan as a key region for understanding faunal and cultural regionalization during the Pleistocene.

Innovative Methodologies: Employing advanced techniques such as 3D morphometric analyses and paleobiomolecular recovery to study fossils and artifacts, and to reconstruct the transition from Pleistocene to Recent landscapes.

Integrative Frameworks: Synthesizing geological, archaeological, and paleontological data to explore the Nile’s role in evolutionary and dispersal dynamics.

Future efforts will focus on overcoming logistical challenges to further advance this research. PALEONILE’s findings have significant implications for understanding evolutionary processes, cultural exchanges, and the development of modern ecosystems. This knowledge is critical for both academic research and the broader public's understanding of our shared African heritage.

PALEONILE fieldwork on the banks of the Nile. February 2023.

PALEONILE field team photo. February 2023.