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Lee R. Berger - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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A PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE OF THE AGE OF THE GLADYSV ALE AUSTRALOPITHECINE SITE by
2016Co-Authors: Lee R. BergerAbstract:Excavations conducted at the Gladysvale site in the Transvaal, South Africa during 1991-1992 have revealed an abundant Plio-Pleistocene fossil fauna from the limeworks breccia dumps and in situ decalcified deposits. To date, over 600 specifically identifiable macro-mammalian specimens have been recovered including the remains of Australopithecus. These identifications have revealed that the Gladysvale site has an extremely diverse macro-mammalian Faunal Assemblage equal to many other South African Plio-Pleistocene fossil sites. Comparison of the Gladysvale macro-mammalian fauna with those of the other early hominid-associated sites in South Africa indicates an age for the deposit(s) at Gladysvale between 1.7- 2.5 m.a.. ln addition, the Kromdraai A macro-mammalian Assemblage is considered to be closer in age to the Gladysvale Assemblage than any other South African Faunal Assemblage
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taphonomic analysis of the Faunal Assemblage associated with the hominins australopithecus sediba from the early pleistocene cave deposits of malapa south africa
PLOS ONE, 2015Co-Authors: Aurore Val, Paul H G M Dirks, Lucinda Backwell, Francesco Derrico, Lee R. BergerAbstract:Here we present the results of a taphonomic study of the Faunal Assemblage associated with the hominin fossils (Australopithecus sediba) from the Malapa site. Results include estimation of body part representation, mortality profiles, type of fragmentation, identification of breakage patterns, and microscopic analysis of bone surfaces. The diversity of the Faunal spectrum, presence of animals with climbing proclivities, abundance of complete and/or articulated specimens, occurrence of antimeric sets of elements, and lack of carnivore-modified bones, indicate that animals accumulated via a natural death trap leading to an area of the cave system with no access to mammalian scavengers. The co-occurrence of well preserved fossils, carnivore coprolites, deciduous teeth of brown hyaena, and some highly fragmented and poorly preserved remains supports the hypothesis of a mixing of sediments coming from distinct chambers, which collected at the bottom of the cave system through the action of periodic water flow. This combination of taphonomic features explains the remarkable state of preservation of the hominin fossils as well as some of the associated Faunal material.
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palaeontology and geological context of a middle pleistocene Faunal Assemblage from the gladysvale cave south africa
Palaeontologia Africana, 2002Co-Authors: Rodrigo S Lacruz, James S Brink, Phillip J Hancox, A R Skinner, Andy I R Herries, Peter Schmid, Lee R. BergerAbstract:Palaeo-Anthropology Scientific Trust; French Embassy in South Africa; Co-operation and Cultural Service; National Geographic Society; John Nash and family; DACEL; University of the Witwatersrand Research Office and School of Geosciences; World Heritage Site Committee; SAHRA; Swiss National Science Foundation; NSF Grants ILl 9151111 and SBR 9896289
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Faunal Assemblage seriation of southern african pliocene and pleistocene fossil deposits
American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 1995Co-Authors: Jeffrey K Mckee, Francis J Thackeray, Lee R. BergerAbstract:Fossil Assemblages from the Pliocene and Pleistocene of southern Africa were seriated in order to give a better idea of their relative chronology. Time-sensitive mammals were selected for calculation of the Faunal Resemblance Index among 17 site units. On the basis of a logistical seriation and subsequent site analysis, the following sequence of sites was deemed most probable: Makapansgat Member 3, Makapansgat Member 4, Taung Dart deposits, Sterkfontein Member 4 and Taung Hrdlicka deposits, Sterkfontein Member 5 (in part) and Kromdraai B, Kromdraai A and Swartkrans Member 1, Swartkrans Member 2, Swartkrans Member 3, Plovers Lake, Cornelia, Elandsfontein Main Site, Cave of Hearths Acheulian levels, Florisbad and Equus Cave and Klasies River Mouth.
Christopher S Henshilwood - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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taphonomic analysis of the middle stone age larger mammal Faunal Assemblage from blombos cave southern cape south africa
Journal of Human Evolution, 2011Co-Authors: Jessica C Thompson, Christopher S HenshilwoodAbstract:A detailed taphonomic analysis is reported for a sample of the larger mammalian Faunal Assemblage (>4.5 kg live body weight) from Blombos Cave. The analysis provides an assessment of human involvement in the accumulation and modification of the Faunal Assemblage, and precedes equally detailed analyses and separate reports of Middle Stone Age (MSA) butchery, transport, and hunting behaviour. At Blombos, there are clear differences in the relative abundances of ungulate body size classes, with the lower MSA phases (upper/lower M2 and M3) showing a high representation of size 1 ungulates relative to the most recent MSA phase (M1). The bones from the earliest MSA phase (M3) have not undergone much post-depositional fragmentation, in contrast to fragments from more recent phases (M1 and upper M2). Much of this variability can be attributed to more burning activity and trampling during M1 and upper M2, which could indicate more intensive occupation. Bone surfaces are variably preserved, with high levels of exfoliation in the most recent two phases. Surface modification analyses revealed high proportions of human modification throughout the sequence, indicating that MSA humans were responsible for accumulating most of the larger mammals. After discard, the bones were modified by scavenging carnivores, leading to a moderate amount of density-mediated destruction and tooth-marking. Carnivores independently accumulated some of the smaller ungulates, mainly in the form of partially-digested remains. Raptorial birds are not implicated as major Faunal accumulators. The results from Blombos are directly comparable with analogous datasets from two other sites in the Western Cape (Pinnacle Point Cave 13B and Die Kelders Cave 1). Such comparisons demonstrate that MSA Faunal Assemblages from nearby coastal sites have complex and different taphonomic histories both within and between sites. Because the human occupants were a major part of these processes, MSA subsistence behaviour and site use was also quite variable over time and space.
Valentina Floresaqueveque - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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reconstructing drowned terrestrial landscapes isotopic paleoecology of a late pleistocene extinct Faunal Assemblage site gnl quintero 1 gnlq1 32 s central chile
Quaternary International, 2018Co-Authors: Patricio Lopez Mendoza, Isabel Cartajena, Diego Carabias, Francisco Juan Prevosti, Antonio Maldonado, Valentina FloresaquevequeAbstract:Abstract Site GNL Quintero 1 (GNLQ1), located nearshore at Quintero bay in the central coast of Chile (32° S), is the only documented Late Pleistocene drowned terrestrial site along the Pacific coast of South America. During the last decade, through underwater archaeological operations conducted at GNLQ1, several clusters of shallowly buried bone deposits were documented and excavated, revealing a well preserved high-resolution in situ context. Taxonomic analysis of the Faunal Assemblage recovered yielded at least 26 individuals comprising extinct Camelidae, Cervidae, Equidae, Mylodontidae, and Xenarthra as well as Canidae, Myocastoridae, Octodontidae, Cricetidae, among others. By conducting stable isotope analyses (δ 13 C ap and δ 18 O ap ) on mammalian bioapatite, we aim to perform a first characterization of the GNLQ1 taxa paleoecology and carry out paleoenvironmental inferences. Regional records for the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) suggest lower sea surface temperatures and more humid climatic conditions for Central Chile. Isotopic data obtained suggests a landscape of mixed vegetation areas, in good agreement with the sedimentary context of the fossil remains and a preliminary Quintero paleolandscape model: a wetland environment developed under semiarid conditions prior to post-glacial sea level rise, with GNLQ1 located >6 km inland as the paleoshoreline was further out on the continental shelf.
Jessica C Thompson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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taphonomic analysis of the middle stone age larger mammal Faunal Assemblage from blombos cave southern cape south africa
Journal of Human Evolution, 2011Co-Authors: Jessica C Thompson, Christopher S HenshilwoodAbstract:A detailed taphonomic analysis is reported for a sample of the larger mammalian Faunal Assemblage (>4.5 kg live body weight) from Blombos Cave. The analysis provides an assessment of human involvement in the accumulation and modification of the Faunal Assemblage, and precedes equally detailed analyses and separate reports of Middle Stone Age (MSA) butchery, transport, and hunting behaviour. At Blombos, there are clear differences in the relative abundances of ungulate body size classes, with the lower MSA phases (upper/lower M2 and M3) showing a high representation of size 1 ungulates relative to the most recent MSA phase (M1). The bones from the earliest MSA phase (M3) have not undergone much post-depositional fragmentation, in contrast to fragments from more recent phases (M1 and upper M2). Much of this variability can be attributed to more burning activity and trampling during M1 and upper M2, which could indicate more intensive occupation. Bone surfaces are variably preserved, with high levels of exfoliation in the most recent two phases. Surface modification analyses revealed high proportions of human modification throughout the sequence, indicating that MSA humans were responsible for accumulating most of the larger mammals. After discard, the bones were modified by scavenging carnivores, leading to a moderate amount of density-mediated destruction and tooth-marking. Carnivores independently accumulated some of the smaller ungulates, mainly in the form of partially-digested remains. Raptorial birds are not implicated as major Faunal accumulators. The results from Blombos are directly comparable with analogous datasets from two other sites in the Western Cape (Pinnacle Point Cave 13B and Die Kelders Cave 1). Such comparisons demonstrate that MSA Faunal Assemblages from nearby coastal sites have complex and different taphonomic histories both within and between sites. Because the human occupants were a major part of these processes, MSA subsistence behaviour and site use was also quite variable over time and space.
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taphonomic analysis of the middle stone age Faunal Assemblage from pinnacle point cave 13b western cape south africa
Journal of Human Evolution, 2010Co-Authors: Jessica C ThompsonAbstract:Abstract A detailed taphonomic analysis is provided for the mammalian and tortoise Faunal Assemblages from Pinnacle Point Cave 13B (PP13B). It is the first of several reports on the fauna from this site, and must necessarily precede analyses focused on higher level interpretations of Middle Stone Age (MSA) butchery, transport, and hunting behavior. The taphonomic work shows that the Faunal Assemblage is well preserved and there are discernable differences in the taphonomic pathways to which the fauna was subjected at PP13B between the Middle and Late Pleistocene, between the front and back of the cave, and between body size classes. The largest mammals (size classes 2–5, body weight >24 kg) were mainly accumulated by MSA hominins. Size class 1 ungulates also exhibit a degree of hominin modification consistent with some hominin accumulation of fresh carcasses, but this is more variable through time and includes an observable degree of independent carnivore contribution. Basic taxonomic comparisons reveal a low representation of small mammals, tortoises, and marine mammals at PP13B relative to larger (>4.5 kg) terrestrial mammals. This is a different pattern from other MSA sites along the southwestern coast of South Africa, where small mammals and tortoises are abundant. A microscopic study of the bone surfaces confirms that MSA hominins exploited these small Faunal components opportunistically, while focusing most heavily on large terrestrial ungulates. All Faunal components show evidence of carnivore scavenging of hominin food debris and a high degree of density mediated destruction. Raptors are at no point implicated as major accumulators of any fauna. The study demonstrates that the full spectrum of MSA Faunal exploitation can only be understood when the large mammal, small mammal, and tortoise components of fossil Assemblages have all been subjected to comprehensive taphonomic analyses.
Patricio Lopez Mendoza - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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reconstructing drowned terrestrial landscapes isotopic paleoecology of a late pleistocene extinct Faunal Assemblage site gnl quintero 1 gnlq1 32 s central chile
Quaternary International, 2018Co-Authors: Patricio Lopez Mendoza, Isabel Cartajena, Diego Carabias, Francisco Juan Prevosti, Antonio Maldonado, Valentina FloresaquevequeAbstract:Abstract Site GNL Quintero 1 (GNLQ1), located nearshore at Quintero bay in the central coast of Chile (32° S), is the only documented Late Pleistocene drowned terrestrial site along the Pacific coast of South America. During the last decade, through underwater archaeological operations conducted at GNLQ1, several clusters of shallowly buried bone deposits were documented and excavated, revealing a well preserved high-resolution in situ context. Taxonomic analysis of the Faunal Assemblage recovered yielded at least 26 individuals comprising extinct Camelidae, Cervidae, Equidae, Mylodontidae, and Xenarthra as well as Canidae, Myocastoridae, Octodontidae, Cricetidae, among others. By conducting stable isotope analyses (δ 13 C ap and δ 18 O ap ) on mammalian bioapatite, we aim to perform a first characterization of the GNLQ1 taxa paleoecology and carry out paleoenvironmental inferences. Regional records for the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) suggest lower sea surface temperatures and more humid climatic conditions for Central Chile. Isotopic data obtained suggests a landscape of mixed vegetation areas, in good agreement with the sedimentary context of the fossil remains and a preliminary Quintero paleolandscape model: a wetland environment developed under semiarid conditions prior to post-glacial sea level rise, with GNLQ1 located >6 km inland as the paleoshoreline was further out on the continental shelf.
