There is something profoundly humbling about standing where early humans once lived, working alongside archaeologists, and witnessing first-hand how climate, landscape, and humanity have always been intertwined
– Because of my passion for using ocean mud as a time capsule, my friends have jokingly called me ‘mud girl’ for years - a name I wear proudly, given that mud often holds some of the most important evidence about Earth’s past, SEAS fellow Ellie Pryor says.
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– What attracted you to being a researcher and then to the SEAS programme?
I have always been drawn to a research position because of the ‘thought freedom’ it offers i.e. the ability to follow ideas, ask questions that genuinely matter, and explore how (for me) the South African climate system works, without being restricted to a single way of thinking. That intellectual independence has always appealed to me.
My interest in the SEAS programme grew naturally from my passion for South African climate research. The combination of SEAS’s strong interdisciplinary environment and emphasis on ocean-climate interactions and sustainability, with the collaboration across different voices and backgrounds really drew me to the programme.
– Can you give a description in general terms of your SEAS project?
Shellfish remains from coastal Middle Stone Age sites in South Africa provide important insights into past human behaviour. They can reveal what people ate, whether they cooked their food, and even how they disposed of waste. More broadly, these remains shed light on how early hunter-gatherers organised their daily lives, used fire, and approached problem-solving.
Our research focuses on determining whether shells were actually heated or cooked by humans. While this might seem straightforward, it is important, not only for understanding human behaviour, but also for other analyses. For example, oxygen isotope analysis is commonly used to reconstruct past sea surface temperatures. This method only works if the shell hasn’t been heated after it formed, because heating changes its internal chemistry. Before we can use a shell for climate reconstruction, we first need to establish whether it has preserved its original state or was once exposed to fire.
– What kind of field work have you had during the SEAS programme and how would you describe the experience?
I was fortunate to visit Klasies River Main Site which is a Middle Stone Age cave site, on the coast of South Africa. Seeing the cave and the beautifully layered sediments was truly fascinating. I loved standing in front of a stratigraphic unit and imagining the climate and environmental conditions our ancestors experienced when those layers formed. I found it both moving and inspiring to think like this. It’s difficult to sum up our trip to Klasies in just a few words: the mix of sea spray, mud and time unfolding in front of you, and the science that brings it all together. There is something profoundly humbling about standing where early humans once lived, working alongside archaeologists, and witnessing first-hand how climate, landscape, and humanity have always been intertwined.
– What has been your experience of being located in Bergen?
I love Bergen, it’s an incredible place to live. Being so close to the mountains and the fjords feels truly special. I never imagined anything could top living in Cardiff in Wales, with the Brecon Beacons nearby or fresh walks along the River Taff into the valleys, but somehow Bergen has managed it. On my way to work, I feel the cold air coming off the fjord and look up at the surrounding mountains, and I honestly can’t think of a better way to start my day.
Bergen’s cinnamon buns are also a real treat, and with so many bakeries to try, I’m constantly discovering new favourites.
– In what ways have you found the interdisciplinary aspects of the SEAS project to be a contribution to your project?
Seeing researchers from diverse scientific backgrounds unite around a single goal, which is advancing marine sustainability, and become a real team has been incredibly inspiring. Working alongside a broad team of oceanographers, marine biologists, social scientists, and psychologists brings together diverse perspectives and expertise, sparking at times creative solutions. Oceans are complex systems, shaped by physical processes, ecosystems, and human impacts, and no single discipline can address all these dimensions.
– Where do you see yourself in 5 – 10 years?
In 5-10 years, I hope to still be working in research, exploring questions that matter and continuing to follow my curiosity within the climate system and definitely studying mud. I’d like to be contributing to meaningful projects, ideally in an environment that values interdisciplinary approaches and scientific independence.