Abstract
Occasion: Asmara 1st International
Conference
Title: Prospects of Eritrean Prehistoric Heritage: A Paleolithic
Approach
Crurently there ar two main branches of thought concerning
how and when modern humans have emerged. Some proponents of human evolution
claim that multiple events have favored humnas to evolve in different parts
of the world at different times3. The other side argues
for an African origin, proposing that Africa alone has given birth to modern
humans in the past 200,000 years 4,6. Increasing numbers
of genetic and paleontological studies suppport early and mulriple migrations
out of Africa 1,4,5, 6. However, there is no solid agreement
reached yet about which hypothesis best describes the cultural experiences
of our ancestors in the transitional process from archaic to modern forms.
The strategic position of Eritrea in East Africa bears unique
vantage point from which to examine many of these hypotheses. As
Eritrea lies along the major biogeographic route for migration into and
out of Africa, it is plausibel that its prehistoric heritage includes
the immediate ancestors of all Eurasians. Interestingly, recent field studies
conducted in Eritrea have come up with informative and representative findings.
Among these important discoveries are a 1.5 million years old hominine cranium
from Buya and Middle Stone Age assemblages of Dandero site1,2.
In many attempts, the geological formations of the Danakil region of Eritrea
has been the most fertil ground for fossil discoveries. Concurrently, this
bears compiling treshold to conduct more investigative research for national
and global merits. The purpose of this paper is to assess the current state
of the "out-of-African migration" hypothesis for modern human origins, some
of its problems, and briefly address the potential that Eritrea has to contribute
to this scientific debate. To enrich the scope of the discussion, some recent
analysis results of Middle Stone Age collections from Dandero site will
be supplemented. Finally the future reseach prospects in Eritrea and
the role of Palaeoanthropology to the reconstruction of Eritrea's prehistoric
image will be considered.
Amanuel Beyin
Graduate Assistant
Department of Archaeology
Asmara-Eritrea
July, 22, 2001,
References
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