The faunal assemblage from the Early Iron Age site of Mamba I in the Thukela valley, Natal

Abstract

The excavation of a number of Early Iron Age sites during a regional survey of a section of the lower Thukela River Valley between 1978 and 1986 yielded excellent faunal samples. Three of the assemblages have been submitted to one of the authors (Voigt) for analysis. The present report contains the main faunal information extracted from the assemblage excavated at Mamba 1 and should be read in conjunction with the archaeological report to which this is appended. The detailed information is to be incorporated into a larger study relating to all three sites. The method of analysis was similar to that used for other Natal Iron Age sites (eg. Voigt 1984) except that the taphonomy of the collection was not taken into consideration. Detailed information and records of the collections are housed at the McGregor Museum, Kimberley and the collections themselves are housed at the KwaZuiu Cultural Museum at Ulundi.