Armand Belaño Mijares

With four species of humans overlapping in time, the region of Southeast Asia is fast becoming a nexus for human evolution research. Homo luzonensis is one of the newest human species to be discovered and the context for this species has yet to be established. Although the current fossil collection is enough to identify it as a new species, its comparative morphology is very limited. This condition necessitates further field excavation at Callao Cave to recover more diagnostic fossil remains. This project intends to gain a better understanding of the physical and biological environment of the site when Homo luzonensis was inhabiting the area. It will address some of the issues raised since its discovery such as what was its culture, diet, and potential adaptive origins of some of its physical characteristics. This would involve a fine-grain analysis of faunal remains to establish a context for its occupational environment and apply different dating techniques.