Abstract
Abstract
Highlights
Desert kites, in a broad sense, comprise long, low stone walls arranged in V- or funnel-shaped ‘arms’ converging into tapering funnel ‘necks’, before sometimes ending on an enclosure known as a ‘head’ or ‘apex’
In 2018, we announced the discovery of the first two kite-like structures (Keimoes 1 and 2) to be identified in the arid Nama Karoo of South Africa, located just north of the Gariep (Orange River). Environmental specialists noticed these features during an aerial survey, and brought them to the attention of van der Walt, who surveyed and recorded them using traditional, ground-based methods and drone photography as part of the Palaeo-TrACKS project aimed at expanding our understanding of the impact of Stone Age communities on the interior grass/shrublands of South Africa
Our results demonstrate that the builders of the kites used the micro-topography of the site to plan and position their funnels, purposefully ensuring that most of the funnel ends or enclosures were obscured from the view of oncoming herds
Summary
In a broad sense, comprise long, low stone walls arranged in V- or funnel-shaped ‘arms’ converging into tapering funnel ‘necks’, before sometimes ending on an enclosure known as a ‘head’ or ‘apex’. Construction methods used for the funnels at Keimoes are most consistent with Holocene Later Stone Age stone-built structures mostly dating to less than 2000 years ago (Figure 2). These sites are much smaller than Iron Age sites, sometimes comprising a single circular feature measuring 2–4m in diameter. In lieu of directly associated dates for the Keimoes kite sites, it is prudent to place their construction and use at some time during the last 2000 years, contemporaneous with other stone structures in the same region that exhibit similar building methods. As a check, we conducted viewshed analyses from
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