Reanalysis and Reinterpretation of the Kalkbank Faunal Accumulation, Limpopo Province, South Africa

• Autores: Jarod M. Hutson, Chester R. Cain
• Localización: Journal of taphonomy, ISSN 1696-0815, Vol. 6, Nº. 3-4, 2008, págs. 399-428
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Previous accounts of the late Pleistocene Kalkbank faunal accumulation cited humans as the primary agent of accumulation. Here we present the first in-depth taphonomic analysis of the fauna. Revised interpretation based on surface modification and bone breakage patterns reflect an overwhelming carnivore presence at the site. The only indications of human involvement with the fauna were a few stone tools and three possible hammerstone percussion marks. Porcupine involvement with the assemblage was considerable, but appears to be secondary to carnivore predation. The site likely represents a serial predation site where carnivores regularly ambushed prey near the margins of an ancient pan. Published accounts of fossil predation hot spots are rare, and much of the available data on these sites originate from modern landscape studies. Evidence from the Kalkbank accumulation suggests that patterns seen at fossil predation hot spots may not conform to patterns observed in modern accumulations.