Advances in molecular palaeontology now allow detection of ancient biomarkers in sediments, including coprostanol, pollen, charcoal, leaf waxes, brGDGTs, and DNA, enriching traditional palaeoecological evidence.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are used to infer ancient fire activity and differentiate sources and intensities, but interpretations must account for non-fire PAH inputs.

pollen and charcoal analyses from Mount Hora indicate a shift from forest to grassland following the arrival of farming communities, suggesting land clearance for agriculture.

The research emphasizes collaborative, interdisciplinary work across geochemistry, palaeoecology, archaeology, and biology to build a fuller picture of past lifeways and environments.

Leaf-wax hydrogen isotope ratios and brGDGT lipids are employed as palaeothermometers to reconstruct past climates and temperatures, though results require caution due to multiple influencing factors.

A Malawi field study collected mud cores from swamps near Mount Hora to search for coprostanol as a biomarker of past human activity.

Examples include evidence for early fire use around 400,000 years ago and insights into Neanderthal fire use, demonstrating how molecular data can reveal behavior not visible in bones alone.

The researchers acknowledge limitations and complexities, including potential contamination and multi-factor influences on biomarkers, and stress interpretation alongside radiocarbon dating and macrofossils.