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Stratigraphic assessment of Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter, South Africa
Umhlatuzana rock shelter is an important archaeological site for the study of the Middle and Later Stone Age in South Africa (~70,000 BP - 1,800 CE). The site was first excavated in 1985 by Jonathan Kaplan within a limited timeframe and was reported to have a complicated stratigraphy. One of the main problems in comprehending the formation processes of the site was the lack of clear stratigraphic boundaries in the Pleistocene deposits. In 2018, a high-resolution geoarchaeological study of the site was initiated. We re-excavated part of the site applying state-of-the-art methods and techniques designed to clarify the stratigraphy and the archaeological context.
Our stratigraphic assessment of the site is based on a combination of field observations with geospatial, sedimentological, and geochemical analyses. Specifically, we have conducted grain-size, pH, and Loss-on-Ignition analyses. Within the Holocene part of the sequence pH and Loss-on-Ignition analysis confirms...
Show moreUmhlatuzana rock shelter is an important archaeological site for the study of the Middle and Later Stone Age in South Africa (~70,000 BP - 1,800 CE). The site was first excavated in 1985 by Jonathan Kaplan within a limited timeframe and was reported to have a complicated stratigraphy. One of the main problems in comprehending the formation processes of the site was the lack of clear stratigraphic boundaries in the Pleistocene deposits. In 2018, a high-resolution geoarchaeological study of the site was initiated. We re-excavated part of the site applying state-of-the-art methods and techniques designed to clarify the stratigraphy and the archaeological context.
Our stratigraphic assessment of the site is based on a combination of field observations with geospatial, sedimentological, and geochemical analyses. Specifically, we have conducted grain-size, pH, and Loss-on-Ignition analyses. Within the Holocene part of the sequence pH and Loss-on-Ignition analysis confirms the presence of combustion features. Within the lower part of the sequence, our results suggest differential preservation across the sequence, explaining the absence of faunal remains and charcoal in several units. In addition, based on our analysis of piece-plotted finds, we suggest that the Pleistocene Later Stone Age occupations at the site may have been characterized by a low occupation intensity.
Additional geoarchaeological work including micromorphological analysis are underway to address outstanding questions on the stratigraphic integrity of the site. With a clearer stratigraphic understanding of the site, we plan to study the archaeological materials and assess whether the existing collections are representative.
Show less- All authors
- Sifogeorgakis, I.; Dusseldorp, G.L.
- Date
- 2019
Conference
- Conference
- Developing International Geoarchaeology 2019
- Date
- 2019-06-17 - 2019-06-21
- Location
- Vancouver
Funding
- Sponsorship
- NWO
- Grant number
- Vidi 276-60-004