Sample name: Diepkloof Rock Shelter (MSA - Late HP)

Reference: T. E. Steele and R. G. Klein. 2013. The Middle and Later Stone Age faunal remains from Diepkloof Rock Shelter, Western Cape, South Africa. Journal of Archaeological Science 40(9):3453-3462 [ER 3775]

Lithology: not described

Taphonomic context: bird accumulation, human accumulation, rock shelter

Archaeology: hearths, stone tools

Habitat comments: "The shelter floor measures 25 m across the mouth and 17–22 m from dripline to rear wall. It is largely surrounded by fallen boulders that provide about 200 sq m of protected space. The MSA deposits reach a depth of about 3.1 m and comprise approximately 160 named stratigraphic units (SUs) that suggest persistent utilization with minimal significant hiatuses. Bone, shell, and well-preserved charcoal occur more or less throughout. Differences in artifact [stone tool] typology and technology have been used to group the SUs into nine complexes". These include an uncharacterized Lower MSA deposit, the technologically distinct "MSA-Mike", "Pre-Still Bay Lynn", "Still Bay", and "MSA-Jack" deposits, three "Howiesons Poort" (HP) deposits (Early, Intermediate, Late), and a "Post-HP" deposit.
"Humans likely introduced the bones of most larger animals, while raptors probably introduced many bones from smaller species, especially hares, dune mole rats, and hyraxes. The low density of lithic material and micro-stratigraphic analysis of the deepest deposits supports a minimal role for humans in accumulating these materials".

Life forms: carnivores, primates, rodents, ungulates, marine mammals, other large mammals, other small mammals

Excluded forms: birds, snakes, turtles, clams, snails

Sampling methods: quarry, screenwash

Sample size: 384 specimens

Years: 1973 -

Net or trap nights: 0

Basal area status: not applicable

Sampling comments: "The excavators divided the shelter surface into 1 × 1 m squares, most of which were further divided into quadrants. They excavated with small trowels and brushes and removed the deposit according to the natural stratigraphy. From 1998, finds with a dimension of >20 mm were assigned individual numbers and plotted in three dimensions. Smaller finds were recovered by square or quadrant from 5-mm mesh screens".

Sample no: 4064

Contributor no: Benjamin Carter

Enterer: Benjamin Carter

Created: 2023-02-17 13:34:29

Modified: 2023-05-30 04:08:10