Razafimanantsoa Andriantsilavo Hery Isandratana
Postdoctoral Fellow
Human Evolution Research Institute, Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town
Biography
I am a Palynologist with a strong interest in palaeoecology and archaeology. My research is dedicated to unraveling long-term environmental changes in Southern Africa during the Quaternary period. I delve into the intricate interplay between ecosystems and the various drivers shaping them, including anthropogenic activities and climatic factors. To decipher these complex dynamics, I employ a range of proxies such as fossil pollen, microscopic charcoal, dung spores, and diatoms, enabling me to reconstruct and interpret past environmental conditions with precision.
Disciplines
Palaeoecology, Archaeology, Palaeontology
Fields of study
The African continent presents a fascinating context for exploring the intricate relationships between early humans and their environments. While archaeological and palaeontological evidence exists, there are still uncertainties regarding the dynamic nature of vegetation and the specific climatic conditions that shaped human existence over time, particularly in terms of succession, transition, and response. Additionally, the impact of anthropogenic activities and human-induced disturbances on the landscape remains a topic of ongoing exploration. To gain a comprehensive understanding of human evolution in relation to their surroundings, it is crucial to integrate datasets encompassing vegetation, climate, fire, and geology. In this regard, the focus on South Africa is notable, as current palaeoecological research is often limited in temporal resolution and primarily concentrated along coastal regions, with a scarcity of inland records. The significance of comprehending early human behavior and adaptation necessitates additional investigations of vegetation and fire dynamics in inland sites, particularly those situated in proximity to regions lacking archaeological sites. This research project specifically targets the Kalkkop meteorite impact crater, a palaeolake dated approximately 250,000 years ago in the Nama-Karoo desert of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Through a meticulous analysis of pollen, carbon isotopes, and microscopic charcoal at a high resolution, this project aims to evaluate vegetation changes and fire dynamics within the site during the Quaternary period. The obtained datasets will be combined with complementary research involving inorganic and organic-geochemical analyses, sedimentology, and palaeontology, contributing to both regional and global assessments of climate-related changes in the area. By employing a multidisciplinary approach, this research will shed light on early human evolution and the dynamic nature of the Karoo landscape, significantly enriching South Africa's Quaternary palaeoenvironmental records.
