Article

2022-08-16 Science & Technology

Researchers prove humans lived in once-fertile Kalahari Desert

[Jerusalem Post] Researchers from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, found evidence that contradicts the hypothesis that humans only lived in the region during wetter periods.

Researchers found evidence that the dry plateau of Kalahari in South Africa once had abundant sources of water, including streams, pools and waterfalls.

In a peer-reviewed study published in PLOS ONE, researchers conducted data sequencing on samples from deposits of tufa, a porous sedimentary rock made of calcium carbonate that is formed by the evaporation of fresh groundwater as springs.

The researchers, led by Jessica von der Meden, a PhD candidate at the University of Cape Town's (UCT) Department of Geological Sciences and Human Evolution Research Institute, used low-impact sampling in order to preserve the surrounding tufa deposits.

The team used a geological hammer, mallet and chisel to collect 18 of the tufa samples, and then, using a modified drill with a water swivel and a custom diamond-tipped barrel, they collected eleven small cores from the deposits.

The researchers then encased the cores in epoxy and then cut in half with a diamond rock saw and polished before making thin sections to study using a polarizing light microscope.

Posted by Besoeker 2022-08-16 02:17|| || Front Page|| [14 views ] Top

#1
Here in this rainbow nation
once holidayed homo apraxis.
They would eat on a tufa table,
tofu bolognaise their staple,
not a care for the local rakshas.

Posted by Dron66046 2022-08-16 06:23|| 2022-08-16 06:23|| Front Page Top

#2 Clearly the Kalahari was wet before man-made global warming.

Posted by ruprecht 2022-08-16 10:12|| 2022-08-16 10:12|| Front Page Top

#3 Sure seemed enough features to suggest it. Neat.

Posted by swksvolFF 2022-08-16 10:51|| 2022-08-16 10:51|| Front Page Top

#4 Entire article without a single mention of "Leakey" or "Lucy."

Posted by M. Murcek 2022-08-16 11:56|| 2022-08-16 11:56|| Front Page Top

#5 Now try New York.

Posted by Skidmark 2022-08-16 16:12|| 2022-08-16 16:12|| Front Page Top

#6 I guess the movie "The Gods Must Be Crazy" was based on a fantasy that humans have ever lived in the Kalahari.

Posted by Gromble Dribble4342 2022-08-16 20:13|| 2022-08-16 20:13|| Front Page Top

#7 *Snicker*

Wonderful film, though.

Posted by trailing wife 2022-08-16 20:59|| 2022-08-16 20:59|| Front Page Top

#8 I’m surprised Plos One would publish this study.
Pretty basic research on already proven topics. Adds nothing new.
I suspect von der Meden is week connected.

Posted by Xyz 2022-08-16 23:07|| 2022-08-16 23:07|| Front Page Top

19:02 Ululating Platypus
18:54 Ululating Platypus
18:50 Frank G
18:49 Frank G
18:49 Ululating Platypus
18:48 Frank G
18:24 Lord Garth
17:52 NN2N1
17:22 Bobby
17:00 swksvolFF
16:52 swksvolFF
16:46 swksvolFF
16:42 swksvolFF
16:41 Super Hose
16:40 Skidmark
16:38 Super Hose
16:19 Super Hose
16:05 jpal
16:04 MikeKozlowski
15:38 SteveS
15:30 Lord Garth
14:42 Grom the reflective
14:33 M. Murcek
14:32 M. Murcek