Terwijl Nederland onder onmenselijke hitte gebukt ging in juli en augustus, was ik tijdens de plaatselijke winter in Zuid-Afrika voor het tweede opgravingsseizoen in de Umhlatuzana rockshelter in... Show moreTerwijl Nederland onder onmenselijke hitte gebukt ging in juli en augustus, was ik tijdens de plaatselijke winter in Zuid-Afrika voor het tweede opgravingsseizoen in de Umhlatuzana rockshelter in Kwazulu-Natal. Vorig jaar hebben we, na wat angst voor ontsnapte leeuwen, tot ongeveer 1.80 meter diep opgegraven. Dit jaar waren de laatste 80 centimeter aan de beurt, tot aan de rotsen op de bodem van de abri. Vorig jaar groeven we resten op van 200 jaar tot misschien wel 20.000 jaar oud. Dit jaar hoopten we in de diepste lagen stenen werktuigen uit de periode tussen 70.000 en 40.000 jaar geleden aan te treffen. En, dat deden we! Ik dacht nooit dat ik als archeoloog hierover zou klagen, maar… We hebben veel te veel gevonden. Daardoor hebben we de bodem van de abri maar in een van onze drie opgravingsputjes gehaald. Show less
In 2018 we initiated a geoarchaeological investigation of Umhlatuzana rock shelter. Our aim is to clarify the depositional environment of the Middle and Later Stone Age (MSA-LSA) assemblages (~70 –... Show moreIn 2018 we initiated a geoarchaeological investigation of Umhlatuzana rock shelter. Our aim is to clarify the depositional environment of the Middle and Later Stone Age (MSA-LSA) assemblages (~70 – 20 ka), in light of suggestions of post depositional sediment movement (Kaplan 1990). The Pleistocene sequence shows few visible stratigraphic boundaries. Sedimentological analysis allows us to evaluate the depositional environment. Show less
‘Wij’ kamen ooit met donkere huid en blauwe ogen van Afrika naar het huidige Nederland. Helaas zwijgt de Canon van Nederland hierover, zoal over veel van de prehistorie, stellen archeologen Luc... Show more‘Wij’ kamen ooit met donkere huid en blauwe ogen van Afrika naar het huidige Nederland. Helaas zwijgt de Canon van Nederland hierover, zoal over veel van de prehistorie, stellen archeologen Luc Amkreutz en Gerrit Dusseldorp. Show less
Umhlatuzana is an important site for the study of modern behavior during the Middle and Later Stone Age in South Africa. The site was excavated in the 1980s by Jonathan Kaplan, who observed a... Show moreUmhlatuzana is an important site for the study of modern behavior during the Middle and Later Stone Age in South Africa. The site was excavated in the 1980s by Jonathan Kaplan, who observed a complex Pleistocene stratigraphy and suggested that the sequence may have been impacted by sediment movement. The site formation is poorly understood with a lack of clear sedimentary 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. We present the results of our field observations, complemented by an evaluation of the recorded find density to reveal diachronic changes in the character of occupation. We suggest that the Pleistocene Later Stone Age occupations at the site may have been characterized by a low occupation intensity. With a clearer stratigraphic understanding of the site, we plan to study the archaeological materials and assess whether the existing collections are representative. Additional geoarchaeological analyses are underway to address outstanding questions on the stratigraphic integrity of the site. Show less
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... 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
