How did climate change impact ancient human behavior? This is one of the questions Justin Pargeter and his team are investigating at a site called Boomplaas Cave in South Africa. This site has a unique record of human presence over the past 80,000 years or so. Importantly, the site is helping researchers piece together the story of how humans adapted to rapidly shifting climates in the past.
Origin Stories producer Ray Pang interviews Leakey Foundation grantee Justin Pargeter, an archaeologist and professor at NYU about his work at the site, the history and importance of the cave, and why African-led research is critical for the future of science.
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Credits:
This episode was produced by Ray Pang. Our editor is Audrey Quinn. Theme music by Henry Nagle, additional music by Lee Roservere.
Episode 36: From the Archive - Tepilit Ole Saitoti
Episode 35: From the Archive - Raymond Dart
Episode 34: From the Archive - Margaret Mead
Episode 33: From the Archive - Dian Fossey
Episode 32: From the Archive - Carl Sagan
Episode 31: The Four Year War
Origin Stories Season Three Preview
Episode 28: What They Left Behind [Rebroadcast]
Episode 30: Tales From the Field [LIVE]
Episode 29: Rewriting Our Story
Episode 28: What They Left Behind
Episode 27: Out of Eden the Long Way
Episode 26: Rising Star
Episode 25: Stones and How to Use Them
Episode 24: Ancestor
Season 2 Preview
Episode 22: Altruism
Episode 21: Follow the Leader?
Episode 09: Did Cooking Make Us Human? (Re-release)
Episode 20: The Power Paradox - LIVE
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