Taphonomic processes of bone distribution and deposition in the tufa caves of Taung, South Africa

• Autores: Jeffrey K. MaKee
• Localización: Journal of taphonomy, ISSN 1696-0815, Vol. 8, Nº. 2-3, 2010, págs. 203-213
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The tufa caves at Taung create a somewhat unique despositional enveronment for the bones that are brought in by various taphonomic agents. The Taung hominin skull, type specimen of Australopithecus africanus, and associated fossil fauna must be interpreted within the particluar context os such tufa caves. Taphonomic experiments with three animals were conducted to elucidate the nature of bone distribution and deposition in a cave that is similar in nature to those in which Pliocene fossils were deposited. It was found that dry portions of the cave tend to preserve a higher proportion of the skeletal remains, and that the distribution of bones is relatively restricted. Skeletal representation of this nature parallels that found in the densely fossiliferous Hrdlicka Deposits at Taung. This contrasts with the wet portion of the cave in which water activity tends to spread bones aver a wider area and results in lesser skeletal representation.