Bournemouth University’s research which has re-written scientists’ understanding of when humans settled in America has won Research Project of the Year: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at this year’s Times Higher Education awards.
“Stepping from the Past into the Future”, a research project led by Professor Matthew Bennett has found evidence that humans arrived in America about 7,000 years earlier than previously thought.
In September 2021 the research team published their analysis of ancient footprints discovered in White Sands National Park, New Mexico. This research concluded that they dated back to 23,000 years ago, at the height of the last ice age.
In a subsequent study, published two years later, Professor Bennett and the team carried out radio carbon dating analysis of fossilised pollen found in the footprints which confirmed their age.
The research sheds new light on the history of Indigenous Americans, and the researchers worked with Indigenous colleagues, creating new ways of combining science with historic cultures and traditions.
This is the latest major recognition for the project which has also been listed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science as one of the scientific breakthroughs of 2023. The findings made headlines around the world and have been covered in several television documentaries.
The panel of judges said they “admired the innovative complexity of this research, which brings together different fields such as cytometry and oral narrative”.
“Peer recognition was impressive, and extensive public communication caught the imagination with a well-told tale of the deep past. And, of course, the results are outstanding, shifting assumptions about prehistoric settlement and migration with far-reaching implications,” they added.
Matthew Bennett, Professor of Environmental and Geographical Sciences at BU said, “It is fantastic to be recognised for our work to answer questions about the peopling of the Americas. The strength of this project is the range of scientific disciplines involved and its multinational aspect. We're very pleased to share this award with our US colleagues and our partners in the indigenous communities of America."
Professor Alison Honour, Vice-Chancellor and CEO of Bournemouth University said, "It is wonderful to see the impact of our incredible research recognised in this way, and my congratulations go to the whole team. Their work has contributed to understanding human activity in the Americas and grown our reputation worldwide. I am so proud of the team and their success.”
