Lauren Powell developed a fascination with the idea of deep time and palaeoscience at the tender age of nine. This interest was encouraged by her parents, who included geological and palaeontological sites on annual family holidays.
Fascination matured into a career path, with Powell pursuing a master’s degree in archaeology at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Her research, focusing on admixture in southern African Holocene people, used geometric morphometrics to assess the differences among Khoi/San fossil skulls identified from the Holocene period.
The work aims to understand whether differences among individuals can be attributed to admixture, resulting when individuals from two or more previously isolated ancient populations interbred. Evidence for admixture can be used to infer how migrating eastern African pastoralists interacted with southern African Khoi/San. Additionally, it also sheds important light on how pastoralism impacted the landscape and people at that time.
“Lauren is a wonderful, insightful person and an integral part of our lab group. Her work is important for our understanding of humanity, and how we became the complex, intermingled, culturally rich people we are today.” says Powells supervisor and HERI Co-director Professor Rebecca Ackermann.
What excites you most about the palaeosciences?
The constant discovery and unravelling of the past, in both recent history and deep time. As scientific methodology improves and changes, so does the way we view the past. I find this both challenging and exciting.
Describe your research in three words.
People, migration, admixture.
Who/What is your biggest inspiration?
Every woman in palaeosciences that has consciously made it a safer and more supportive space. From the first woman who taught me to excavate, to the women that I shared a lab space with, all of them have been instrumental in my academic journey.
What has been your biggest academic challenge?
Getting access and permission to the Khoi/San crania was a lengthy process. It involved legal counsil from Iziko Museums in South Africa and curators agreeing to how these crania would be transported to the CT scanning facilities, details on the relevant security the CT scanning facility offered, and additional funding from my supervisor to cover the insurance costs. Understandably these remains need to be protected and treated with respect. This is because Khoe/San individuals are difficult to come by in the archaeological record, and because they hold deep heritage and cultural importance.
What is the soundtrack to your studies?
Jazzed up versions of pop songs. The gentler adaption of songs that you somehow know all the words to. It keeps me calm during stressful times and keeps my fingers typing on the keyboard.