Elands Bay Research Articles

Pre-Colonial Settlement and Subsistence along Sandy Shores South of Elands Bay, West Coast, South Africa

Pre-Colonial Settlement and Subsistence along Sandy Shores South of Elands Bay, West Coast, South Africa

Physical processes contributing to harmful algal blooms in Saldanha Bay, South Africa

The study synthesises current understanding of the predominant physical processes responsible for the seasonality of harmful algal blooms, notably Alexandrium catenella and Dinophysis spp., in the nearshore environment of Saldanha Bay on the west coast of South Africa. Saldanha Bay is one of the few naturally sheltered areas on the South African coastline suitable for in situ shellfish farming and is the major site for the production of black mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in South Africa. Mussel farming started there in 1985 and the present level of production is some 2 700 tons per annum. Since 1994, disruption of harvesting as a result of the presence of harmful algal species has been a regular late-summer phenomenon. Toxic blooms that are ultimately advected into the bay develop on the continental shelf to the north between 32°S and St Helena Bay, a region characterized by favourable conditions for dinoflagellate growth and circulation patterns that facilitate build-up of intense blooms during late summer. Offshore dinoflagellate populations are advected shorewards and polewards in response to relaxation of upwelling at the Namaqua cell to the north. Dinoflagellate blooms are advected south from the southern Namaqua shelf during upwelling relaxation. Under such conditions, the gyre south of Elands Bay moves offshore and a barotropic flow past Cape Columbine is established. Evidence suggests that the nearsurface component of the flow occurs as a sudden “flood” event. These dinoflagellate-containing shelf waters are in turn advected into Saldanha Bay when upwelling relaxes, when the density gradient between the bay and the shelf drives surface inflow and bottom water outflow. These flows are reversed with the resumption of upwelling over the shelf, resulting in intrusion and entrainment of bottom water and surface outflow. Entrainment dictates that the bay acts as a net importer of bottom water and net exporter of surface waters over a synoptic cycle. This system of exchange between Saldanha Bay and the shelf curtails the duration and severity of toxic episodes in the bay relative to the shelf.

Taphonomy and the Micromammals from Elands Bay Cave

Taphonomy and the Micromammals from Elands Bay Cave

Fossil wood charcoal assemblages from Elands Bay Cave, South Africa: implications for Late Quaternary vegetation and climates in the winter‐rainfall fynbos biome

Summary Aim The aim of this paper is to analyse fossil charcoal deposits, largely identified to the species level and spanning a sequence from the late Holocene to < 40,000 BP, in order to reconstruct Late Quaternary vegetation and climatic patterns in the western (winter‐rainfall) fynbos biome of South Africa. Location The charcoals were excavated from the Elands Bay Cave (32°19S, 18°20E) on the semiarid (200–250 mmyr−1), winter‐rainfall coastline of the western fynbos biome. Methods Patterns in the charcoal data set over time were sought by manual sorting of the charcoal×sample matrix, as well as by subjecting the data to multivariate analysis. Palaeoclimatic reconstruction was attempted by comparing the climatic controls on contemporary vegetation communities that resembled the fossil assemblages. Charcoal diversity was modelled using sample age and number of charcoal fragments as explanatory variables. Results The fossil assemblages ranged from xeric communities (similar to those presently occurring at the site) during the Holocene, to more mesic thicket and fynbos vegetation in the terminal Pleistocene, to Afromontane forest and riverine woodland communities after about 18,000 BP. Diversity of the charcoal samples increased monotonically with increasing sample age. Main conclusions The results suggest that, unlike the eastern fynbos biome, which is under fundamentally different climatic controls, soil moisture conditions in the western part of the biome were higher in the Last Glacial than during the Holocene. This scenario may help to explain the higher regional richness and associated diversification in the western than eastern part of the biome.

A TALE FROM THREE REGIONS: THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE PLEISTOCENE/HOLOCENE TRANSITION IN THE WESTERN CAPE, THE CALEDON VALLEY AND THE LESOTHO HIGHLANDS, SOUTHERN AFRICA

Abstract The archaeological and palaeoenvironmental records of the Western Cape, the Caledon Valley and the Lesotho highlands are examined across the Pleistocene/Holocene boundary using data from three key long sequence sites: Elands Bay Cave, Rose Cottage Cave and Sehonghong. The settlement histories of all three regions are highly pulsed, but there is some suggestion that the Western Cape was out of synch with the two other regions, a relationship possibly linked to their different rainfall regimes. In all three regions, however, people used the landscape quite differently in the period reviewed compared to the late Holocene. An increased use of r-selected food resources is most visible at Elands Bay, but in all three regions the early Holocene witnessed a shift toward greater exploitation of smaller, browsing bovids. Increased localization of social alliance networks, suggested by the distributions of non-local items and by patterns of stone raw material usage in the Lesotho highlands/Caledon Valley area, may reflect increasing population densities as environmental productivity rose. The importance is stressed of developing explanations of these phenomena at a range of appropriate spatio-temporal scales and suggestions are made as to where future research may most profitably be directed.

Some Evidence for Seasonality amongst Later Stone Age Hunter-gatherers in Southern Africa

The Later Stone Age (LSA) period in Southern Africa is characterised by a succession of cultural traditions. The LSA hunter-gatherer populations were ancestral to the present-day San. They moved around in small bands, within a semi-fixed territory visiting open air and shelter sites to coincide with available resources.The hunter-gatherers filled every niche in the environment, including the high mountains, deserts and semi-deserts, bush savanna and grass lands. They were well aware of the food sources available in their territories during the course of a year and utilized these opportunities. As winters in southern Africa are relatively mild, and most regions have foods available throughout the year, seasonality is difficult to demonstrate.In only a few instances there is some evidence for seasonal use or seasonality. Age profiles of seals at Elands Bay Cave suggest short occupation periods during late winter and early spring. In the high mountains of South Africa and Lesotho, where winters are cold and frost and snow common, the faunal and floral remains suggest occupation during late spring, summer and early autumn. Abbot's Cave in the semi-arid central Karoo was used as a hunting lodge during September, relating to the lambing season and migratory behaviour of springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis).

Some Evidence for Seasonality amongst Later Stone Age Hunter-gatherers in Southern Africa

The Later Stone Age (LSA) period in Southern Africa is characterised by a succession of cultural traditions. The LSA hunter-gatherer populations were ancestral to the present-day San. They moved around in small bands, within a semi-fixed territory visiting open air and shelter sites to coincide with available resources.The hunter-gatherers filled every niche in the environment, including the high mountains, deserts and semi-deserts, bush savanna and grass lands. They were well aware of the food sources available in their territories during the course of a year and utilized these opportunities. As winters in southern Africa are relatively mild, and most regions have foods available throughout the year, seasonality is difficult to demonstrate.In only a few instances there is some evidence for seasonal use or seasonality. Age profiles of seals at Elands Bay Cave suggest short occupation periods during late winter and early spring. In the high mountains of South Africa and Lesotho, where winters are cold and frost and snow common, the faunal and floral remains suggest occupation during late spring, summer and early autumn. Abbot's Cave in the semi-arid central Karoo was used as a hunting lodge during September, relating to the lambing season and migratory behaviour of springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis).

Hyrax and Hare Bones from Modern South African Eagle Roosts and the Detection of Eagle Involvement in Fossil Bone Assemblages

Rock hyrax bones from South African eagle roosts comprise mostly cranial parts. Postcranial elements are much more weakly represented and, among them, bones of the hind limb outnumber those of the forelimb. The eagle roosts also contain remarkably few very young hyraxes. Assemblages of hyrax bones from Elands Bay Cave, Nelson Bay Cave, Die Kelders, and other important South African archaeological sites contain many more limb bones (relative to cranial elements), and they are generally much richer in forelimb (versus hind limb) elements. The sum suggests that eagles did not contribute significantly to the archaeological assemblages. However, in regard to hyrax age representation, the archaeological assemblages vary. Like the eagle-roost samples, those from Middle Stone Age (MSA) sites contain very few young hyraxes, while those from Later Stone Age (LSA) sites contain many more. The difference may reflect the presence of the bow and arrow and of domestic dogs only in the LSA. In contrast to eagle-accumulated hyrax samples, hare samples from South African eagle roosts comprise mainly postcranial elements, but the hare postcranial bones similarly come mainly from the rear limb. The archaeological samples of hare bones are much richer in cranial elements and in bones of the forelimb, and this suggests again that eagles contributed few if any bones to the archaeological sites. So far, it cannot be shown that hare age representation differs between eagle roosts and archaeological sites or between MSA and LSA sites.

The Wood Charcoal Assemblages from Elands Bay Cave, Southwestern Cape: Principles, Procedures and Preliminary Interpretation

The Wood Charcoal Assemblages from Elands Bay Cave, Southwestern Cape: Principles, Procedures and Preliminary Interpretation

Size Variation in the Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis) and Late Quaternary Climatic Change in South Africa

The average adult size of the rock hyrax varies greatly across South Africa. Regression analysis suggests that mean hyrax size is more closely linked to precipitation than to temperature, probably because precipitation has a much greater impact on preferred hyrax food plants. The relationship between mean size and precipitation is curvilinear, such that size increases up to about 700 mm/annum and declines thereafter. This parallels a tendency for less palatable grasses to replace more palatable ones where rainfall exceeds 700 mm/annum. In conjunction with other indicators of past climate, hyrax size variation can be used to reconstruct precipitation history near deeply stratified South African late Quaternary sites, including Elands Bay Cave, Die Kelders Cave 1, and Nelson Bay Cave.

Seal bones as indicators of the timing and duration of hunter-gatherer coastal visits

This study addresses the seasonality and duration of seal hunting at archaeological sites near Elands Bay on the west coast of South Africa. Mandible dimensions of modern seals are used to establish a method of determining the age at death of seals from archaeological sites. Cape Fur Seals have a restricted birth season. Relating the age of archaeological specimens to the date of birth provides the season of death, and hence the season of occupation of the sites. The distribution of seasonal determinations through the year and the coherence between predictions for first and second year animals provide an indication of the duration of sealing. A change from the exploitation of second year animals during the early Holocene to the exploitation of first year animals during the late Holocene is noted. This is associated with a change from occupation without any seasonal focus, to occupation most likely during the spring months of August to November. The changes in the age structure and the seasonal signature of the Elands Bay seal assemblages are related to changes in the environment as the sea level rose during the Holocene, and to changes in the mobility patterns of the inhabitants of the region.

Archaeological charcoals as indicators of vegetation change and human fuel choice in the late holocene at Elands Bay, Western Cape Province, South Africa

Abstract Methods used in the analysis of 1163 pieces of charcoal from Elands Bay, South Africa, are described. Results from three archaeological sites (Tortoise Cave, Spring Cave and Mike Taylors Midden) show that the most common woody species at Elands Bay today also occurred in the archaeological record over the last 4000 years. This would suggest that climatic change over the last 4000 years has not been sufficient to influence the species composition of wood brought into the sites by people. There are, however, differences in species composition of the charcoal from Tortoise Cave on the one hand and Mike Taylors Midden (MTM) and Spring Cave on the other. These differences reflect fundamental differences in environment between the sites.

Social, spatial and chronological patterning in marine food use as determined by ä 13 C measurements of Holocene human skeletons from the south‐western Cape, South Africa

Abstract Radiocarbon dates, a13C measurements and observations on the sex and dentition of a series of prehistoric human skeletons from the south‐western Cape coast reveal changes in the utilisation of marine foods during the Holocene. Only a few skeletons date from the early and middle Holocene, but a substantial number date from 3000 to 2000 BP. During life, these people were heavily reliant on marine foods. People whose skeletons post‐date 2000 BP ate more mixed diets with a larger proportion of terrestrial foods.This pattern mirrors that seen in food waste from sites excavated at or near Elands Bay. It seems, however, to be true of a much larger area of the Cape, extending as far south as the Cape Peninsula. Changes in the composition of diet through the Holocene were more marked for men than for women. Tooth wear and the occurrence of dental caries vary according to sex, and to the degree of reliance on marine foods.

Sedimentary flux and the formation of resting spores of selectedChaetocerosspecies at two sites in the southern Benguela System

Sediment traps were placed in St Helena Bay and Elands Bay in the southern Benguela system in December 1984 for 2–3 days. Comparisons of abundance of selected phytoplankton species in the water column, from the traps and in the sediment/water interface revealed differences in the sinking behaviour of the selected species. These differences are most likely exaggerated by the formation of resting spores. Although the water column was dominated by vegetative cells, the flux to the sediment occurred largely in the form of resting spores. The results suggest rapid formation and settling of resting spores from the water column. These transient events may be missed by typical field sampling procedures, thereby underestimating frequency of spore formation. High concentrations of resting spores dominated the phytoplankton assemblages of the sediment/water interface, suggesting that seeding by spores from the sediment is possibly an important factor resulting in the success of Chaetoceros species and the consistent...

Dynamics of deflation hollows in the elands bay area, cape province, South Africa

Summary Observations of erosion and deposition patterns in deflation hollows in the Elands Bay area, South Africa show that they are being slowly deepened and elongated in a SSW-NNE direction as a result of sand movements generated by southerly winds. This is probably a renewal of the processes which originally created the hollows prior to their occupation by Late Stone Age peoples some 4000 B.P.

Pattern of the Past: Studies in Honour of David Clarke.

Preface Introduction: towards a mature archaeology Ian Hodder Part I. Ethnographic models: pre-depositional theory: 1. Anthropological models in archaeological perspective George Dalton 2. Kalinga pottery: an ethnoarchaeological study William Longacre 3. Society, economy and culture: an ethnographic case study amongst the Lozi Ian Hodder 4. People and space: a case study on material behaviour Roland Flectcher Part II. Settlement Pattern: despositional, post-depositional and analytical theory: 5. Stone Age visiting cards: approaches to the study of early land use patterns Glynn Isaac 6. Off-site archaeology: an alternative approach for the short-sited Robert Foley 7. Black holes in British prehistory: the analysis of settlement distributions Les Groube 8. The colonisation of Europe: the analysis of settlement processes Fred Hamond Part III. Subsistence Pattern: analytical and interpretive theory: 9. Population, resources and explanation in prehistory Paul Wilkinson 10. Plough and pastoralism: aspects of the secondary products revolution Andrew Sherratt 11. Counting sheep in Neolithic and Bronze Age Greece Paul Halstead 12. The effects of environmental change on the scheduling of visits to the Elands Bay Cave, Cape Province S.A John Parkington Part IV. Social Pattern: analytical and interpretive theory: 13. Conceptual frameworks for the explanation of sociocultural change Christopher Tilley 14. Archaeological theory and communal burial in prehistoric Europe Robert Chapman 15. Towards a socioeconomic model for the Middle Bronze Age in southern England Ann Ellison Index.

A Mass Stranding of Rock Lobsters Jasus Lalandii (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) At Elands Bay, South Africa (Decapoda, Palinuridea)

Die sudafrikanische Languste (Jasus lalandii) fuhrt in der Gegend von Elands Bay (etwa 160 km nordlich von Kapstadt) jahreszeitliche Wanderungen zur Kuste durch. Dieses Verhalten wird verursacht durch die Anwesenheit einer sauerstoffarmen, bodennahen Wasserschicht, die sich, infolge winderzeugter Auftriebsbewegung, zur Kuste hin verlagert. Im Marz 1968 waren die Langusten in Strandnahe zusammengedrangt und konnten wahrend der Springflut bei ruhiger See in die sanft ansteigende Gezeitenzone vordringen. Bei einsetzender Ebbe sind die Langusten dann in grosser Zahl am Strand zuruckgeblieben und umgekommen. Das Massensterben war von solchem Ausmass, dass die Fange der nachsten Saison dadurch beeintrachtigt waren.

Present distribution and abundance of the introduced barnacle Balanus glandula Darwin in South Africa

The date of first introduction of the North-East Pacific acorn barnacle Balanus glandula to South Africa is unknown, but it is depicted in photographic records dating back to at least 1992. Its present range and population density were determined by surveying 24 sites on the west and south coasts of South Africa. B. glandula occurred over approximately 400 km of coastline, from Elands Bay in the north-west to Misty Cliffs on the west coast of the Cape Peninsula. The abundance of B. glandula was affected by site, zone, prevalence of upwelling, and orientation of the shore. Its distribution was very patchy, both on macro- and microscales, with Bloubergstrand and Moullie Point having the highest abundances of 28 445 and 24 500 individuals m−2 respectively. B. glandula was the dominant barnacle at all West Coast sites where it was recorded, comprising 78.5% of all barnacles found. The successful invasions of B. glandula in South Africa, Argentina and Japan suggest that this species poses a potential threat to intertidal communities in cool, temperate waters.