Plio-Pleistocene wood from the Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia: paleoenvironnemental implications for paleoanthropological and paleontological sites

Fossilized wood from the Plio-Pleistocene era in Ethiopia's Lower Omo Valley reveals significant insights into past environmental conditions, providing critical context for understanding paleoanthropological and paleontological sites. The study identifies distinct paleoclimatic shifts, including periods of increased aridity and humidity, which likely influenced early human evolution and faunal distributions. Researchers analyzed wood samples using advanced techniques such as stable isotope analysis and palynology to reconstruct ancient landscapes. These findings challenge previous assumptions about the region's environmental stability during this pivotal period, offering new perspectives on the adaptive strategies of early hominins and their ecosystems.

Jolly-Saad, M.-C., & Bonnefille, R. (2026). Plio-Pleistocene wood from the Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia: paleoenvironnemental implications for paleoanthropological and paleontological sites. Geodiversitas, 48(18), 369–461. https://doi.org/10.5252/geodiversitas2026v48a18