Fossilized feces, termed coprolites, provide unique information on digestive systems, diets, and ... more Fossilized feces, termed coprolites, provide unique information on digestive systems, diets, and ecosystems of extinct animals, and are potentially useful for palynology, biostratigraphy and preservation of animal and plant remains. Despite this broad utility, scientific enquiry into coprolites has been relatively sparse. We carried out a systematic investigation into 23 significant South African fossil collections of the Evolutionary Studies Institute (ESI), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in search of coprolites. This study spanned a temporal range from the Permian to the recent Cenozoic returning approximately 790 known coprolites in the collections. Of these, only four assemblages have appeared in six coprolite‐specific publications. Others have been mentioned to some extent in publications focused on fauna, palynology or simply mentioned that coprolites were present. Clearly, the coprolite collections at the ESI are understudied and require attention with the int...
African Journal of Range & Forage Science, 2022
African grassy biomes evolved together with fire and have a long history of human manipulation of... more African grassy biomes evolved together with fire and have a long history of human manipulation of fire, yet few rangeland studies acknowledge the role of prehistoric fire in shaping contemporary ecological patterns. Nevertheless, prehistoric fire records have been used elsewhere as invaluable environmental contexts for practitioners in fire management, ecosystem restoration and climate change. Therefore, our aim is to collate prehistoric sedimentary charcoal studies from southern African grassy biomes and bring them to the attention of practitioners. We discuss how long-term data contribute to fire ecology and ecosystem functioning. Importantly, this contribution aims to give a reference point for stakeholders working at different temporal and spatial scales to improve our understanding and management of grassy ecosystems.
Recent zooarchaeological and aDNA analysis have produced conflicting evidence for the existence o... more Recent zooarchaeological and aDNA analysis have produced conflicting evidence for the existence of early domestic stock at Blydefontein Rock Shelter. The anatomical analysis identified eight specimens as sheep or sheep/goats, the oldest of which was dated to 2860–2765 BP, while the aDNA results suggest that the oldest identified sheep specimen was either greater kudu or eland. Almost all of the other aDNA identifications conflicted with the anatomical assessments. The faunal and aDNA analyses are presented in separate papers in this journal. This paper provides background information on the site of Blydefontein, and frames the discussion in terms of the reliability and validity of the anatomical and aDNA evidence.
Abstract In this study we investigate the timing and nature of moisture availability in the Late ... more Abstract In this study we investigate the timing and nature of moisture availability in the Late Holocene by examining a multiproxy paleoenvironmental record from Kathu Pan at the southern edge of the Kalahari. In a region where organic proxy records are scarce, Kathu Pan provides a unique record of changes in past environmental conditions. Pollen, spore, charcoal, and stable isotope records were obtained from organic deposits at Kathu Pan and examined within a radiocarbon-constrained chronological framework. The Kathu Pan record registers a relatively moist phase occurring between 4.8 ka and 2.5 ka cal BP. Local environmental conditions at Kathu Pan shift gradually beginning around the terminal Northgrippian ~4.8 ka cal BP. Kathu Pan reaches maximum moisture availability with marsh-like conditions signaled by increased organic content, dominance of Cyperaceae pollen, presence of freshwater fungi, and δ13C values consistent with local C3 vegetation, around the inception of the Meghalayan Stage, although due to uncertainties in the age-depth model these changes may have taken place 1–2 centuries on either side of the formal date for the onset of the Meghalayan at 4.2 ka cal BP. This interval also corresponds with the highest charcoal concentrations, indicating the importance of adequate moisture conditions to support the growth of biomass which eventually becomes a fuel source. The moist phase lasts ca. 2000 years until a hypothesized shift to arid conditions occurs c. 2.5 ka cal BP leading to a change in local hydroclimate that may have terminated the accumulation of organic-bearing sediments.
Fossilized feces, termed coprolites, provide unique information on digestive systems, diets, and ... more Fossilized feces, termed coprolites, provide unique information on digestive systems, diets, and ecosystems of extinct animals, and are potentially useful for palynology, biostratigraphy and preservation of animal and plant remains. Despite this broad utility, scientific enquiry into coprolites has been relatively sparse. We carried out a systematic investigation into 23 significant South African fossil collections of the Evolutionary Studies Institute (ESI), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in search of coprolites. This study spanned a temporal range from the Permian to the recent Cenozoic returning approximately 790 known coprolites in the collections. Of these, only four assemblages have appeared in six coprolite‐specific publications. Others have been mentioned to some extent in publications focused on fauna, palynology or simply mentioned that coprolites were present. Clearly, the coprolite collections at the ESI are understudied and require attention with the int...
African Journal of Range & Forage Science, 2022
African grassy biomes evolved together with fire and have a long history of human manipulation of... more African grassy biomes evolved together with fire and have a long history of human manipulation of fire, yet few rangeland studies acknowledge the role of prehistoric fire in shaping contemporary ecological patterns. Nevertheless, prehistoric fire records have been used elsewhere as invaluable environmental contexts for practitioners in fire management, ecosystem restoration and climate change. Therefore, our aim is to collate prehistoric sedimentary charcoal studies from southern African grassy biomes and bring them to the attention of practitioners. We discuss how long-term data contribute to fire ecology and ecosystem functioning. Importantly, this contribution aims to give a reference point for stakeholders working at different temporal and spatial scales to improve our understanding and management of grassy ecosystems.
Recent zooarchaeological and aDNA analysis have produced conflicting evidence for the existence o... more Recent zooarchaeological and aDNA analysis have produced conflicting evidence for the existence of early domestic stock at Blydefontein Rock Shelter. The anatomical analysis identified eight specimens as sheep or sheep/goats, the oldest of which was dated to 2860–2765 BP, while the aDNA results suggest that the oldest identified sheep specimen was either greater kudu or eland. Almost all of the other aDNA identifications conflicted with the anatomical assessments. The faunal and aDNA analyses are presented in separate papers in this journal. This paper provides background information on the site of Blydefontein, and frames the discussion in terms of the reliability and validity of the anatomical and aDNA evidence.
Abstract In this study we investigate the timing and nature of moisture availability in the Late ... more Abstract In this study we investigate the timing and nature of moisture availability in the Late Holocene by examining a multiproxy paleoenvironmental record from Kathu Pan at the southern edge of the Kalahari. In a region where organic proxy records are scarce, Kathu Pan provides a unique record of changes in past environmental conditions. Pollen, spore, charcoal, and stable isotope records were obtained from organic deposits at Kathu Pan and examined within a radiocarbon-constrained chronological framework. The Kathu Pan record registers a relatively moist phase occurring between 4.8 ka and 2.5 ka cal BP. Local environmental conditions at Kathu Pan shift gradually beginning around the terminal Northgrippian ~4.8 ka cal BP. Kathu Pan reaches maximum moisture availability with marsh-like conditions signaled by increased organic content, dominance of Cyperaceae pollen, presence of freshwater fungi, and δ13C values consistent with local C3 vegetation, around the inception of the Meghalayan Stage, although due to uncertainties in the age-depth model these changes may have taken place 1–2 centuries on either side of the formal date for the onset of the Meghalayan at 4.2 ka cal BP. This interval also corresponds with the highest charcoal concentrations, indicating the importance of adequate moisture conditions to support the growth of biomass which eventually becomes a fuel source. The moist phase lasts ca. 2000 years until a hypothesized shift to arid conditions occurs c. 2.5 ka cal BP leading to a change in local hydroclimate that may have terminated the accumulation of organic-bearing sediments.
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