Grantee Spotlight
Tefera Tarekegn Bayu is a Leakey Foundation Baldwin Fellow and PhD student in archaeology at the Université Côte d’Azur in Nice, France. His research explores how humans interacted with their environments from the Late Pleistocene to the Holocene, a line of inquiry that began during his master’s studies analyzing charcoal from ten archaeological sites in Ethiopia’s Bale Mountains.
For his PhD, Tefera is analyzing ancient charcoal remains from the site of Kumali in southern Ethiopia to reconstruct patterns of human-environment interaction during the Mid to Late Holocene. His project includes collecting modern wood samples to build a reference wood anatomy database, which will support current and future charcoal analysis in the region. After completing his doctorate, he hopes to contribute to Ethiopian higher education and collaborate with institutions.
Questions and answers with Tefera Tarekegn Bayu
How did you become interested in archaeology and ancient vegetation?
I became interested in my area of study through a lifelong passion for understanding human history and our interaction with the environment. I enjoyed science as a child, especially subjects related to history and nature, which naturally led me to archaeology. My interest deepened over time, especially through fieldwork and research experiences.
Tell us about your research
My project aims to understand human-environment interactions in southwest Ethiopia’s Moist Afromontane Forest (MAF) during the Mid- to Late Holocene. Combining archaeological charcoal analysis with ethnoarchaeobotanical study, it explores human adaptation and influence over millennia. Establishing a comprehensive wood anatomy reference collection from the MAF region will benefit future studies. The project investigates environmental shifts, resource availability, land use changes, and human-environment interactions to deepen our understanding of this period in southwest Ethiopia.
What questions do you hope to answer with your work?
In the montane zone of southwest Ethiopia (1,800-3,000 meters above sea level), two primary forest types exist today: Dry Afromontane Forest (DAF) and Moist Afromontane Forest (MAF). How did these forests evolve in response to climate change and human activity during the Holocene? The development of these forests in relation to climate change and human impact during the Holocene is unknown due to a lack of palaeovegetation data. Current pollen profiles are only from Rift Valley lakes or altitudes above 3,500 meters.
Understanding ancient vegetation is crucial for assessing resource potential. The southwest Ethiopian highlands are ideal for studying foraging behaviors under varying environmental conditions during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene.
This research addresses archaeological and palaeoenvironmental issues in the southwest Ethiopian highlands during the Holocene, focusing on human-environment interactions, vegetation changes, and resource management strategies.
How did you feel when you learned about your Baldwin Fellowship?
When I learned about my Leakey Foundation Baldwin Fellowship, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and excitement. Receiving this prestigious grant is not only a significant personal achievement but also a validation of the importance of my research. The support from The Leakey Foundation will greatly enhance my ability to conduct comprehensive fieldwork and analysis, which are critical to the success of my PhD project.
This grant will make a profound difference in my life and career by providing the necessary resources to advance my research on the human-environment interactions in the Moist Afromontane Forest of southwest Ethiopia. The funding will enable me to carry out extensive archaeological charcoal analysis and ethnoarchaeobotanical studies, which are essential to understanding how these forests developed in relation to climate change and human impact over the last 5,000 years.
With this grant, I can establish a comprehensive wood anatomy reference collection from the region, which will benefit not only my current study but also future research in the area. The grant will cover expenses for fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and collaboration with local experts, thereby enriching the quality and scope of my research.
Moreover, this support from The Leakey Foundation will significantly contribute to my professional growth. It will allow me to build a strong foundation in archaeological and paleoenvironmental research, fostering valuable skills and knowledge that will be instrumental in my future career. The recognition and credibility that come with receiving a Leakey Foundation grant will open doors to further academic and research opportunities, helping me to establish myself as a leading researcher in my field.
In summary, the Leakey Foundation grant is a pivotal milestone in my academic journey. It provides both the financial backing and professional endorsement needed to advance my research and career in archaeology and paleoenvironmental studies.
Why is research like yours important?
Research in archaeology and human evolution is crucial for several compelling reasons. Firstly, it gives insights into our shared human heritage, revealing how ancient societies lived, adapted, and interacted with their environments across millennia. By analyzing archaeological remains like charcoals, researchers reconstruct past climates, vegetation patterns, and human activities, deepening our understanding of environmental changes and their impacts on societies.
Secondly, studying human evolution helps us grasp the origins of modern human diversity. It illuminates biological and cultural processes that have shaped us, informing debates on contemporary issues such as adapting to environmental change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable practices.
Additionally, archaeological research preserves cultural heritage by documenting and interpreting sites like Kumali, safeguarding invaluable historical information from being lost to time or development. This preservation fosters cultural identity and strengthens community connections to ancestral roots.
On a broader scale, understanding human evolution and ancient societies aids in tackling current global challenges. Insights from the past inform strategies for sustainable development, resource management, and conservation efforts. Lessons learned from how past societies thrived or faltered in response to environmental pressures provide critical guidance for mitigating modern challenges like climate change.
Ultimately, research in archaeology and human evolution transcends mere historical inquiry. It enhances our self-understanding, clarifies our place in the world, and equips us to navigate future uncertainties through knowledge rooted in our collective history. Whether sparking scientific curiosity, preserving cultural legacies, or offering practical solutions, this research resonates deeply with both academic communities and the public, underscoring its profound relevance to our shared human experience.
