PALEOSCHOOL 2024: BRIDGING CLIMATE AND HUMAN EVOLUTION STUDIES
We are excited to announce PALEOSCHOOL 2024, a multidisciplinary training program focused on Paleoclimate and Quaternary Studies, to be held in Odisha. This comprehensive program combines 60 hours of online training followed by 5 days of field training, offering participants an immersive experience in understanding the complex interactions between climate change and human evolution.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Indian subcontinent, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse geology, holds invaluable clues to understanding the Quaternary period (2.58 million years ago to present). This epoch played a crucial role in shaping the ecological systems that supported the evolution of modern humans. The Quaternary period posed distinct challenges and opportunities, with varied environmental conditions and resource availability shaping prehistoric human behavior, technological advancements, and tool-use patterns.
Understanding these ancient environments is critical for improving global models of human evolution, migration, cognition, behavior, neuroscience, and genetic diversity. While previous research in quaternary geology, paleoclimate, prehistoric archaeology, and paleoanthropology has yielded valuable insights, the integration of these fields and the use of modern tools are essential for a deeper comprehension of human-climate interactions throughout the Quaternary.
Paleoschool 2024 aims to address this gap by focusing on multidisciplinary scientific studies and capacity building, fostering collaboration across various disciplines to create a skilled workforce for future research on climate and human evolution.
KEY FEATURES OF PALEOSCHOOL 2024
- 60 Hours of Online Lecture: Open to all registered participants, the online training will cover core topics in paleoclimate, geology, archaeology, paleoanthropology, and their intersections with human evolution.
- 5 Days of Field Training in Odisha: After the online module, top-performing candidates will be selected for exclusive hands-on fieldwork in Odisha, a region rich in geological and archaeological significance.
- Interdisciplinary Focus: The program aims to break down the boundaries between different fields, promoting a holistic approach to studying climate change and human evolution.
ELIGIBILITY
PALEOSCHOOL 2024 invites individuals passionate about prehistoric humans, their environment, and ecology to join our engaging online lecture series. This multidisciplinary program aims to foster interaction and knowledge exchange between students and professionals from diverse fields, including Archaeology, Geology, Anthropology, Ancient History, Heritage Studies, Basic Sciences, Computer Applications, and other allied branches.
Due to logistical considerations, PALEOSCHOOL 2024 will select 12 to 14 postgraduate students from the registered and actively participating online attendees. The selection will be based on their performance in the online lectures and related activities.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
ONLINE LECTURES
- Duration: 60 hours
- Format: Virtual (online)
- Topics Covered:
- Quaternary Geology
- Paleoclimate and Environmental Change
- Prehistoric Archaeology
- Paleoanthropology
- Human-Climate Interactions
Objective: To provide participants with a broad understanding of how past environmental changes influenced human evolution and technological advancements.
FIELD TRAINING
- Location: Odisha, India
- Duration: 5 days
Eligibility: Based on performance in the online module
Performance-based selection: Top-performing candidates from the online training will be allowed to attend the fieldwork module in Odisha.
Objective: Selected participants will engage in practical fieldwork, learning modern techniques in data collection, site analysis, and geological exploration.
OBJECTIVES OF PALEOSCHOOL 2024
Multidisciplinary Skill Development: Equip participants with the tools and knowledge required for research in climate change, quaternary studies, and human evolution.
Breaking Boundaries: Encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration between fields such as geology, archaeology, and climate science.
Field Experience: Provide hands-on experience in Quaternary research, lithic studies, and knapping, enabling participants to directly apply their learning in real-world contexts and explore connections with ethnoarchaeological practices.
FEES AND CHARGES
Registration Fee: ₹500 (Including online lectures)
Field Visit Charges*: Approximately ₹5000 to ₹7000 per person, depending on actual expenses. This includes accommodation, meals, local transportation, and logistics during the 5-day field training in Odisha.
*Final Estimate: The organizers are actively working on securing funding and sponsorships to help reduce costs for participants. The final cost estimate will be communicated to selected candidates in due course.
IMPORTANT DATES
Registration Deadline: 20 October 2024
Online Lecture Start Date: 01-11-2024
Field Training Dates: 23-12-2024
Organizers
Dr. Parth R Chauhan
Asso. Professor, IISER- Mohali,
Mohali
Punjab
Dr. Prabhin Sukumaran
Ass. Professor, Dr. K.C. Patel R & D Centre,
CHARUSAT
Changa, Gujarat
Dr. Kshirasindhu Barik
Curator, Prof. N.K. Sahu Museum
P.G. Dept. of History
Sambalpur University
Dr. Tosabanta Padhan
Teaching Fellow
School of Historical Studies
Nalanda University, Rajgir
Bihar
Support from
Past Paleoschools
30 December 2022 to 1 January 2023
The 4th Paleoschool Field Workshop-2022-23 was organized with a focal theme as “Integrating field and lab results in Human-Climate interactions”. The event was specifically planned during the visit of Prof. Stanley Ambrose, to India so that we will be able to informally disseminate first-hand knowledge to young, early career researchers. Prof. Ambrose is an internationally acclaimed stable isotope geochemist and paleoanthropology researcher based at University of Illinois in the US. A wide publicity of the event was done through social media, personal communications and digital media. A total of 33 candidates ultimately registered for the event out of which 6 candidates were shortlisted for the field school based on the employment status, geographic location, statement of purpose and CV. The participating candidates were from diverse disciplines and institutes. Participants from Kalahandi University, Bhawanipatna, Odisha, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar and Dr. K C Patel R & D Centre, Charotar Univerisity of Science and Technolgy, Changa, Gujarat successfully participated in the event. During the three-day field school workshop, participants visited key geoarchaeological sites such as Patne and the Quaternary section at Sakegaon which we have studied using multiple proxies. The base station for the workshop was Chalisgaon for the initial couple of days and Jalgaon for the last few days. Prof. Ambrose discussed on such topics as stable isotope geochemistry and associated sample collection, analytical protocols, and interpretations. Dr. Parth Chauhan covered issues related to stone tool technologies and modern human evolution research and relevance of India. Dr. Sukumaran covered the topics such as high-resolution multi-proxy analysis, landform building process, and integration of results spatially and temporally using modern tools and technologies. The event was financially supported by Charotar University of Science and Technology and Association of Quaternary Researchers (India).
6 to 10 June 2022
The 3rd Paleoanthropology fieldschool/workshop was held in Narmadapuram, Madhya Pradesh from June 6 to June 10, 2022. The co-organisers were Parth R. Chauhan (IISER Mohali) and Prabhin Sukumaran (CHARUSAT) and the event was co-sponsored by IISER Mohali, AOQR and BSIP. Wide publicity for the event was done through social media platforms, emails, and personal and institutional communications. Applications for the workshop were collected through an online platform. Each application included basic academic details of the applicant, a detailed CV, and a statement of purpose. Applications were received from across the states of India and reputed universities/institutes, such as AIHC & Archaeology department Vikram University Ujjain, Banaras Hindu University, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciense, Cotton University, Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute Pune, Delhi Institute of Heritage Research & Management, Department of anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Doon University, H. N. B. Garhwal University, IIT BHU, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Kerala State Department of Archaeology, Kurukshetra University, Mahatma Gandhi University, Nalanda University, Panjab University, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute of Archaeology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Tamil University, University of Ladakh and Vasanta College for Women, B.H.U. The organizers of the event were critically gone through the application and the selection of candidates was made purely based on their academic credentials and statement of purpose. A total of 19 participants were shortlisted out of 41 applications and 15 students confirmed their participation. The selected candidates were provided online lectures prior to the fieldschool to facilitate smoother discussions at the sites. Participants were taken to both well-known and lesser-known prehistoric sites including stone tool occurrences, rock paintings, fossil vertebrate sites, and important Quaternary type-sections. The visited sites included Hathnora, Bhimbetka, Sardarnagar, Dhansi, Pilikarar, and Talpura, among others. Students were shown how to survey for sites, what and how to document and interpret geological and palaeontological observations, and how to collect samples for multiproxy high-resolution studies. All participants were highly enthusiastic, asked relevant questions, and provided important feedback for future workshops. Overall the event was a great success and participants were satisfied with its overall aspects. Most of the participants suggested organizing such events more frequently. The next such workshop is planned for the winter session along with international experts and this time we plan to apply for external funding.