Research Forum

When and how did early humans discover the island world of the Philippines? Little is known to date about the settlement of this extensive archipelago in Southeast Asia. An international team of scientists is now setting out in search of new prehistoric sites. They are expecting the upcoming excavations to reveal valuable human and animal fossils. Insights into the fauna of that time will support the reconstruction of our ancestors’ former environment.

Since 2018, the Foundation has been funding research into the biocultural evolution of Homo sapiens in Southeast Asia. For the period from 2026 to 2028, a new consortium of non-profit foundations has been established comprising the Gerda Henkel Foundation, the Werner Reimers Foundation, the Daimler and Benz Foundation, and the Senckenberg Society. Along with traditional funding for individuals, material resources are now available for the first time that can be flexibly used in the exploration of sites in the Southeast Asian region.