Cᵉ siècle av. J.-C.
South-western Cape, southern Africa
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Duinefontein 2 is a Middle Stone Age archaeological locality in the south-western Cape, represented by two successive occupation horizons beside a vlei. The upper horizon is interpreted as a specialized butchery area, while the lower may have functioned as a base camp. Faunal remains include elephant, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, kudu, eland, zebra, buffalo, alcelaphines, blue antelope, and springbok. The site illustrates differentiated activity areas and repeated occupation by hunter-gatherer groups.
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Le récit
Duinefontein 2 preserves two successive occupation horizons beside a vlei, indicating that the locality was used over an extended span. The faunal assemblage is diverse, with twenty-four species represented, including elephant, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, kudu, eland, zebra, buffalo, alcelaphines, blue antelope, and springbok. This concentration of animal remains offers a detailed glimpse of Middle Stone Age hunting and processing practices in the south-western Cape.
The upper horizon appears to have been more specifically a butchery site. It contains many unretouched Middle Stone Age flakes, while most limb bones are absent, a pattern consistent with the removal of selected portions of carcasses. The interpretation remains archaeological rather than certain, because the distribution of bones and tools can reflect several stages of carcass processing and site use.
The lower occurrence may instead represent a base camp. Its stone-artifact-to-bone ratio is higher, and retouched tools are more common than in the upper horizon. The contrast between the two deposits suggests that the same locality could accommodate different activities, from initial butchery to broader occupation and tool use.
Cᵉ siècle av. J.-C.
South-western Cape, southern Africa
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
Duinefontein 2 is a Middle Stone Age archaeological locality in the south-western Cape, represented by two successive occupation horizons beside a vlei. The upper horizon is interpreted as a specialized butchery area, while the lower may have functioned as a base camp. Faunal remains include elephant, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, kudu, eland, zebra, buffalo, alcelaphines, blue antelope, and springbok. The site illustrates differentiated activity areas and repeated occupation by hunter-gatherer groups.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
Duinefontein 2 preserves two successive occupation horizons beside a vlei, indicating that the locality was used over an extended span. The faunal assemblage is diverse, with twenty-four species represented, including elephant, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, kudu, eland, zebra, buffalo, alcelaphines, blue antelope, and springbok. This concentration of animal remains offers a detailed glimpse of Middle Stone Age hunting and processing practices in the south-western Cape.
The upper horizon appears to have been more specifically a butchery site. It contains many unretouched Middle Stone Age flakes, while most limb bones are absent, a pattern consistent with the removal of selected portions of carcasses. The interpretation remains archaeological rather than certain, because the distribution of bones and tools can reflect several stages of carcass processing and site use.
The lower occurrence may instead represent a base camp. Its stone-artifact-to-bone ratio is higher, and retouched tools are more common than in the upper horizon. The contrast between the two deposits suggests that the same locality could accommodate different activities, from initial butchery to broader occupation and tool use.