| HOMINID was formed in 1996 in response to a need felt by the scientific community in this country. It is the first scientific group to study the origin, evolution and behaviour of our ancestors from a new multi-disciplinary perspective. Archaeologists, palaeoanthroplogists, primatologists, geologists and ethnologists contribute to the work in pursuit of the following aims:
1. Promote research on the origin, evolution and behaviour of hominids within a multidisciplinary framework.
2. Advance and disseminate knowledge on human evolution.
3. Facilitate co-operation between scientists working in this field in various disciplines.
4. Establish links with other institutions and organisations that pursue similar goals.
In accordance with these aims, HOMINID co-ordinated the first Thematic Network on human evolution, formed by 9 laboratories in various universities (1996XT-00006). It has directed various field studies, including the first state anthropological expedition to Australia to study the aborigine communities in Arnhem Land, and also a programme of palaeobotanic and ethnologic expeditions to the Massai territory (Lake Natron, Tanzania). Since 1996 it has been taking part in the first state archaeological and palaeontological mission on human origins in Africa (Peninj, Tanzania). HOMINID carries out comparative studies on the behaviour of the great apes (chimpanzee, gorilla and orang-utan) and also co-ordinates a multi-disciplinary project on the palaeodiet and nutrition of the first hominids, carried out in Kenya and Tanzania. Hominid organises conferences and scientific courses on human evolution ("El Primat Humà", "Jordi Sabater Pi: el llegat d'un naturalista", "L'Herència de Charles Darwin", "A la Recerca dels Primers Humans", etc), and mobile exhibitions, publishes specialised scientific journals and collaborates with national and international public and private institutions .
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