By Godefroy Devevey

Just like for biodiversity, the study of human evolution gathers rare, discrete and punctual data that researchers must reconcile with global and dynamic theories. Similarly, it also mobilises distant disciplines varying from evolutionary biology to atomic physics, from ethnography to remote sensing technologies. However, in this research field the concept of research synthesis is not widespread and platforms for collaborative integrations are scarce, probably because until recently archaeological and anthropological data were essentially qualitative, and the structuration of “schools” limited circulation of ideas. In the absence of a collaborative platform for synthesis, the mobilization of relevant volume of data and knowledge is impossible without being biased. It is based on this gap that the researchers of ICArEHB (Interdisciplinary Center for Archaeology and Evolution of Human Behaviour) settled in Faro, Southern Portugal, have decided to establish HEIRS – the hub for Human Evolution Research Synthesis, the new place to elaborate synthesis on human evolution questions such as: Did Neanderthals have different ethno-cultures? Was fire an adaptation against cold during the paleolithic? Did crop farming change our foot morphology? What is a “fast expansion” out of Africa?

HEIRS is inspired by the model of the synthesis centres in biodiversity research and especially by sDiv. Indeed, when I was the former coordinator of iDiv’s graduate school yDiv during 2016, I also appreciated the power of sDiv, both in terms of knowledge production and as a tool for researcher.  Since my move to Faro, the project of establishing a synthesis centre there has always been on my mind. I was in constant contact with sDiv head Marten Winter (now in the scientific advisory board of HEIRS) and his team. HEIRS, just like sDiv, keeps the main elements of a synthesis centre (collaborative working groups, data platforms, sabbaticals) but incorporates also a strong policy-making component and trainings dedicated to their community. Besides learning how to establish scientific and administrative structures and process to start a synthesis centre from the scratch, the community at iDiv, the larger research centre sDiv is part of, already proved instrumental: iDiv researchers and experienced statistic teachers Christian Ristok and Stephan Kambach (Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg) visited ICArEHB in December 23 to teach a course on Systematic synthesis for prehistoric data and literature. More trainings will be scheduled, but for now the next big event of HEIRS is its Opening Symposium, that will happen on the 28-29 January 2025 in Faro.

There are many ways human evolution is linked to biodiversity questions. If you are interested in Human Evolution and would like to participate or propose a project, visit HEIRS website https://heirs.icarehb.com.