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Plant wax biomarkers in human evolutionary studies
Robert Patalano1, Patrick Roberts1,2,3, Nicole Boivin1,2,4,5
1Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany.
Evolutionary Anthropology
|August 9, 2021
Summary
Plant wax biomarkers offer new insights into past environments and human evolution. This review explores their use in archaeology for reconstructing ancient landscapes and climate, aiding our understanding of early human history.
Area of Science:
- Paleoenvironmental reconstruction
- Archaeological science
- Paleoanthropology
Background:
- Plant wax biomarkers are valuable proxies for reconstructing past climate and vegetation.
- Traditionally used in earth sciences, they are increasingly applied in archaeology and paleoanthropology.
- Biomarker research provides crucial data on the ecological context of human evolution and technological development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the application of plant wax biomarkers in reconstructing past plant landscapes and hydroclimates.
- To assess the utility of plant wax molecular proxies in archaeological research.
- To examine case studies from key paleoanthropological sites.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of plant wax biomarkers (e.g., long-chain n-alkanes).
- Interpretation of biomarker data to infer vegetation composition, rainfall, and temperature.
- Integration of biomarker data with archaeological and paleoenvironmental records.
Main Results:
- Plant wax biomarkers successfully reconstruct past vegetation and hydroclimate dynamics.
- Applications in archaeology reveal insights into human-environment interactions and hominin evolution.
- Case studies demonstrate the value of biomarkers at key African and European paleoanthropological sites.
Conclusions:
- Plant wax biomarkers are a powerful tool for understanding past ecological conditions relevant to human evolution.
- Further research should address taphonomic challenges and integrate modern ecosystem studies.
- This interdisciplinary approach enhances our knowledge of early human adaptations and technological innovations.
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