Geoarchaeological investigations at Siepkloof Rock Shelter, Western Cape, South Africa

• Verfasst von: Miller, Christopher E. [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Goldberg, Paul [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Berna, Francesco [VerfasserIn]
• Titel: Geoarchaeological investigations at Siepkloof Rock Shelter, Western Cape, South Africa
• Verf.angabe: Christopher E. Miller, Paul Goldberg, Francesco Berna
• E-Jahr: 2013
• Jahr: 7 March 2013
• Umfang: 21 S.
• Teil: volume:40
• Teil: year:2013
• Teil: number:9
• Teil: pages:3432-3452
• Teil: extent:21
• Fussnoten: Gesehen am 25.05.2021
• Titel Quelle: Enthalten in: Journal of archaeological science
• Ort Quelle: Amsterdam [u.a.] : Elsevier, 1974
• Jahr Quelle: 2013
• Band/Heft Quelle: 40(2013), 9, Seite 3432-3452
• ISSN Quelle: 1095-9238
• DOI: doi:10.1016/j.jas.2013.02.014
• Datenträger: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: eng
• Sach-SW: Combustion features
• Sach-SW: FTIR
• Sach-SW: Micromorphology
• Sach-SW: Middle Stone Age
• Sach-SW: Site formation processes
• K10plus-PPN: 1758394633

Abstract

The sedimentary sequence at Diepkloof Rock Shelter formed through a complex interaction of depositional and post-depositional processes and was variously influenced by biogenic, geogenic, and anthropogenic agents. Here, we present the results of a micromorphological study of the sediments at Diepkloof, focusing in particular on the numerous anthropogenic inputs and modifications recorded within the sequence. By applying the microfacies concept, we were able to identify hearth burning and maintenance, bedding construction and burning, and surface modification by trampling as major processes that contributed to the formation of the site. The human activities recorded within the sediments show a marked change throughout the sequence, implying a shift in the use of the site over time. The present study also provides a context for evaluating other classes of artifacts and data collected from the site.