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

Informations projet

PALEONILE

N° de convention de subvention: 101045217

DOI

10.3030/101045217

Date de signature de la CE 26 Juillet 2022

Date de début 1 Decembre 2022

Date de fin 30 Novembre 2027

Financé au titre de

• European Research Council (ERC)

Coût total

€ 1 999 515,00

Contribution de l’UE

€ 1 999 515,00

Coordonné par

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)

Période du rapport: 2022-12-01 au 2025-05-31

Résumé du contexte et des objectifs généraux du projet

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.

Travail effectué depuis le début du projet jusqu’à la fin de la période considérée dans le rapport et principaux résultats atteints jusqu’à présent

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.

Progrès au-delà de l’état des connaissances et impact potentiel prévu (y compris l’impact socio-économique et les conséquences sociétales plus larges du projet jusqu’à présent)

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.