Ferring With National Science Foundation support Dr. C. Reid Ferring and his colleagues will conduct geological and archaeological research in the Diliska Gorge region of the Republic of Georgia. Past work by this team has demonstrated the presence of lake and river sediments which extend along the gorge over a distance of ca. 15 km. Preliminary evidence indicates that these deposits date to the early part of the Pleistocene and well preserved remains have been discovered in them. Dr. Ferring and colleagues will undertake a detailed geological survey of the area and collect geological samples which will permit age determination. They shall analyze faunal materials and search for archaeological remains. If successful, this project will lay the groundwork for a longer term collaborative Georgia-U.S. research endeavor. Scientists know that the roots of the human lineage can be traced back to Africa and that the earliest stages of human development took place there. They are interested in how and when the first hominids appear outside this region because of the insight this information will provide into developing abilities to cope with the environment. Recently early hominid remains were discovered at the site of Dmanisi which is located in Georgia. Their age is significantly greater that one would have expected and interest in this region, which may lie on the original route out of Africa, has increased. Dr. Ferring's search for early archaeological sites and the stratigraphic and chronological framework he will establish, will increase understanding of early hominid prehistory and behavioral development. It will also further collaboration between U.S. and Georgian scientists.
