Bones, Stones, Crocodiles and Origins: New Palaeoanthropological Evidence from Africa

The University of Queensland's School of Social Science invites you to attend our 2025 Hall Annual Lecture.

In the centenary year of UQ alumn Raymond Dart's extraordinary publication of Australopithecus africanus, join us for a compelling presentation that explores how research at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania is deepening our understanding of human evolution through an interdisciplinary lens. By integrating archaeology, palaeoanthropology, and ecological studies—especially predator-prey dynamics involving modern carnivores like crocodiles—this work reveals how early hominins adapted to changing environments, developed tools, and navigated survival. From stone tools to tooth marks, this approach offers new insights into our evolutionary past and highlights the enduring connection between humans and the natural world.

About the lecture

Since Charles Darwin first proposed that Africa was the birthplace of humankind, the continent has yielded an extraordinary fossil record stretching back nearly 7 million years. A breakthrough came in 1924, when Dr Raymond Dart, an Australian-born scientist, discovered Australopithecus africanus, the first recognised hominin fossil, marking the beginning of Africa’s legacy as a hotspot for human evolution. Since then, discoveries across the continent have revealed critical milestones in our lineage, including the origins of bipedalism, the growth of brain size, the advent of tool use, and the emergence of complex behaviours and social structures.

This presentation examines the key forces driving hominin transitions, with a particular focus on Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, one of the most iconic and informative palaeoanthropological sites in the world. For decades, research at this site has challenged assumptions and deepened our understanding of early hominin adaptations, offering vital insights into survival strategies, climate and environment. By integrating findings from anthropology, archaeology, and ecological studies of modern African carnivores such as crocodiles this talk highlights how predator-prey dynamics continue to shape our interpretations of the past. This approach reveals that understanding the feeding patterns of modern predators helps gain valuable perspective on the environmental contexts of hominin evolution. From stone tools to tooth marks, from scavenging to hunting strategies, the evidence from Olduvai paints an evolving scenario of our ancestors, one that not only informs our origins, but also reflects our enduring relationship with the natural world.

About the presenter

Dr Jackson Njau, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Indiana University and Research Associate at the Stone Age Institute. He brings a unique perspective to the study of human evolution, one shaped by his roots on the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania. Inspired by the rich history embedded in his homeland, he has spent his career unravelling the complex relationship between ancient ecosystems and our evolutionary journey. Through his work, he not only reconstructs the past but also inspires the next generation of researchers to ask bold questions about where we come from.

Event details

Date: Friday 20 June 2025

Time: 5:45pm for 6–7pm. The lecture will be followed by a reception from 7–8pm.

Venue: Abel Smith Lecture Theatre, (Building 23), UQ St Lucia (view map)

RSVP: Tuesday 17 June 2025

Enquiries

engagement@hass.uq.edu.au

The Hall Annual Lecture is given in honour of the founder of archaeology at The University of Queensland, Associate Professor Jay Hall, and is sponsored by Everick Heritage.

About The Hall Annual Lecture

The Hall Annual Lecture is UQ Archaeology’s annual public lecture in honour of the founder of archaeology at UQ, Associate Professor Jay Hall.

Associate Professor Jay Hall is the former Head of UQ’s Archaeology program. As well as an award-winning teacher, Jay is the editor of Queensland Archaeological research - a publication he started in 1984. Jay retired in 2007 after more than 30 years at the University. He is currently an Adjunct Reader in Archaeology in the School of Social Science at UQ.

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