Chapter 1: Fifty Years of Fun with Fossils: Some Cave Taphonomy
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South African Palaeo-Scientists the Names Listed Below Are Just Some of South Africa’S Excellent Researchers Who Are Working Towards Understanding Our African Origins
2010 African Origins Research MAP_Layout 1 2010/04/15 11:02 AM Page 1 South African Palaeo-scientists The names listed below are just some of South Africa’s excellent researchers who are working towards understanding our African origins. UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN (UCT) Dr Thalassa Matthews analyses the Dr Job Kibii focuses PALAEOBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH thousands of tiny teeth and bones of fossil on how fossil hominid Professor Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan is one microfauna to reconstruct palaeoenviron- and non-hominid of only a few specialists in the world who mental and climatic changes on the west faunal communities coast over the last 5 million years. changed over time and African Origins Research studies the microscopic structure of bones of dinosaurs, pterosaurs and mammal-like uses this to reconstruct reptiles in order to interpret various aspects ALBANY MUSEUM, past palaeoenviron- of the biology of extinct animals. GRAHAMSTOWN ments and palaeo- A summary of current research into fossils of animals, plants and early hominids from the beginning of life on Earth to the Middle Stone Age PERMIAN AGE PLANTS ecology. THE HOFMEYR SKULL Dr Rose Prevec studies the “No other country in the world can boast the oldest evidence of life on Earth extending back more than 3 billion years, the oldest multi-cellular animals, the oldest land-living plants, Professor Alan Morris described the Glossopteris flora of South Africa (the PAST HUMAN BEHAVIOUR Hofmeyer skull, a prehistoric, fossilized ancient forests that formed our coal Professor Chris Henshilwood directs the most distant ancestors of dinosaurs, the most complete record of the more than 80 million year ancestry of mammals, and, together with several other African countries, a most remarkable human skull about 36 000 years old deposits) and their end-Permian excavations at Blombos Cave where that corroborates genetic evidence that extinction. -
A Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment & Report
Comprehensive and Professional Solutions for all Heritage Related Matters CK 2006/014630/23 VAT NO.: 4360226270 A PHASE 1 HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT & REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED VRYSIG RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE MULDERSDRIFT/LANSERIA AREA OF GAUTENG For: Nali Sustainability Solutions (Pty) Ltd P.Bag X1 Stand 1829, Irene Farm Villages 0045 REPORT: APAC020/74 by: A.J. Pelser Accredited member of ASAPA September 2020 P.O.BOX 73703 LYNNWOOD RIDGE 0040 Tel: 083 459 3091 Fax: 086 695 7247 Email: [email protected] Member: AJ Pelser BA (UNISA), BA (Hons) (Archaeology), MA (Archaeology) [WITS] 1 ©Copyright APELSER ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSULTING The information contained in this report is the sole intellectual property of APELSER Archaeological Consulting. It may only be used for the purposes it was commissioned for by the client. DISCLAIMER: Although all efforts are made to identify all sites of cultural heritage (archaeological and historical) significance during an assessment of study areas, the nature of archaeological and historical sites are as such that it is always possible that hidden or subterranean sites, features or objects could be overlooked during the study. APELSER Archaeological Consulting can’t be held liable for such oversights or for costs incurred as a result thereof. Clients & Developers should not continue with any development actions until SAHRA or one of its subsidiary bodies has provided final comments on this report. Submitting the report to SAHRA is the responsibility of the Client unless required of the Heritage Specialist as part of their appointment and Terms of Reference 2 SUMMARY APelser Archaeological Consulting (APAC) was appointed by Nali Sustainability Solutions (Pty) Ltd to conduct a Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment for a proposed new Residential Development (Vrysig). -
Teaching Materials Associated with Module 1 Taung Child
Teaching Materials Associated With Module 1 Taung Child: - Discovered in 1924 by Australian anatomy professor Raymond Dart - Among the first human fossils to be found in Africa - Dated to between 2.5 and 3 million years ago - Based on dental eruption patterns, Taung child’s age at death was ~3.3 years old - It is thought that an eagle killed Taung child based on what appear to be talon puncture marks on the skull Discovery of Taung Child: - Dart’s discovery: “Australian anatomy professor Raymond Dart was adjusting the collar of his dress suit in preparation for a friend’s wedding when a box, shipped from a limestone quarry near Taung, South Africa, arrived at the doorstep of his Johannesburg home in November 1924. Dart abandoned his collar to dig through the package’s contents—all the while ignoring the grumblings of his wife and the groom, who were anxious to begin the wedding ceremony. Inside the box, he found a fossilized mold of a brain and a matching child’s skull partially buried in stone. Dart quickly realized the significance of the finding, and by February 1925 had published an article in Nature identifying a new species: Australopithecus africanus. The 2.5-million-year-old “Taung Child” or “Taung Baby,” as Dart called it, was the first member of the Australopithecus genus discovered, and it challenged contemporary ideas about human evolution.” – The Scientist Magazine - This can be considered “armchair paleoanthropology” as Dart did not participate in the excavation of Taung child himself. Instead, he was sent the samples and completed the analysis from Johannesburg. -
Use-Trace Analysis of Bone Tools: a Brief Overview of Four
South African Archaeological Bulletin 70 (201): 3–14, 2015 3 Research Article USE-TRACE ANALYSIS OF BONE TOOLS: A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF FOUR METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES JUSTIN BRADFIELD Department of Anthropology and Development Studies, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa E-mail: [email protected] (Received January 2015. Revised April 2015) ABSTRACT until mechanical failure results in a fracture (Johnson 1985; In comparison with some other parts of the world, there has been a Lakes et al. 1990; Kim et al. 2006; Rennick 2012). Adhesive wear marked lack of engagement with the functional study of bone tools in arises from frictional contact between two surfaces. However, southern Africa. Only a handful of researchers are actively conducting instead of resulting in material attrition, as occurs with abrasive work on this important aspect of material culture on the sub- wear, material from one object is transferred to the other continent. In this paper, I explore four avenues of use-trace analyses (LeMoine 1994; Francis 2002). The contact material is identified, that can be used to investigate the past function of bone tools, namely, based on the residue of the adhering material. Chemical wear is use-wear, macrofracture analysis, morphological residues studies and the physical alteration of a tool surface due to chemical action, micro-focus computed tomography. Despite the increasing application which normally occurs after deposition but which can also of sophisticated analytical software, definitions of use-traces still differ occur as a result of contact with skin and other acidic sub- among analysts. Here I provide a brief overview of various use-trace stances or organic enzymes. -
Paleoanthropology Society Meeting Abstracts, Memphis, Tn, 17-18 April 2012
PALEOANTHROPOLOGY SOCIETY MEETING ABSTRACTS, MEMPHIS, TN, 17-18 APRIL 2012 Paleolithic Foragers of the Hrazdan Gorge, Armenia Daniel Adler, Anthropology, University of Connecticut, USA B. Yeritsyan, Archaeology, Institute of Archaeology & Ethnography, ARMENIA K. Wilkinson, Archaeology, Winchester University, UNITED KINGDOM R. Pinhasi, Archaeology, UC Cork, IRELAND B. Gasparyan, Archaeology, Institute of Archaeology & Ethnography, ARMENIA For more than a century numerous archaeological sites attributed to the Middle Paleolithic have been investigated in the Southern Caucasus, but to date few have been excavated, analyzed, or dated using modern techniques. Thus only a handful of sites provide the contextual data necessary to address evolutionary questions regarding regional hominin adaptations and life-ways. This talk will consider current archaeological research in the Southern Caucasus, specifically that being conducted in the Republic of Armenia. While the relative frequency of well-studied Middle Paleolithic sites in the Southern Caucasus is low, those considered in this talk, Nor Geghi 1 (late Middle Pleistocene) and Lusakert Cave 1 (Upper Pleistocene), span a variety of environmental, temporal, and cultural contexts that provide fragmentary glimpses into what were complex and evolving patterns of subsistence, settlement, and mobility over the last ~200,000 years. While a sample of two sites is too small to attempt a serious reconstruction of Middle Paleolithic life-ways across such a vast and environmentally diverse region, the sites -
1St Uj Palaeo-Research Symposium
PROGRAMME 1ST UJ PALAEO-RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM in combination with the 2ND PALAEO-TRACKS SYMPOSIUM Monday 13 November 2017 Funded by the African Origins Platform of the National Research Foundation of South Africa Through the Palaeo-TrACKS Research Programme 08:30 Arrival, coffee & loading of Power Point presentations Freshly brewed tea and coffee with a selection of freshly baked croissants, Danish pastries & muffins 09:00 5 min Welcome Prof Alex Broadbent (Executive Dean of Humanities & Professor of Philosophy, University of Johannesburg) Introduction of Chairs Morning session: Prof Kammila Naidoo, Humanities Deputy Dean Research & Professor of Sociology Afternoon session: Prof Marlize Lombard, Director of the Centre for Anthropological Research 09:05 10 min Opening address Prof Angina Parekh (Deputy Vice Chancellor: Academic and Institutional Planning, University of Johannesburg) SESSION 1: INVITED KEYNOTE LECTURES 09:15 30 min The Rising Star fossil discoveries and human origins Prof John Hawks (Vilas-Borghesi Distinguished Achievement Professor of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA) Abstract: Discoveries in the Dinaledi and Lesedi Chambers of the Rising Star cave system have transformed our knowledge of South African fossil hominins during the Middle Pleistocene. The research strategies undertaken in the Rising Star cave system provide a strong framework for inter- disciplinary work in palaeo-anthropology. This talk gives an overview of the Rising Star research project, focusing on the processes that have enabled effective -
Homo Aestheticus’
Conceptual Paper Glob J Arch & Anthropol Volume 11 Issue 3 - June 2020 Copyright © All rights are reserved by Shuchi Srivastava DOI: 10.19080/GJAA.2020.11.555815 Man and Artistic Expression: Emergence of ‘Homo Aestheticus’ Shuchi Srivastava* Department of Anthropology, National Post Graduate College, University of Lucknow, India Submission: May 30, 2020; Published: June 16, 2020 *Corresponding author: Shuchi Srivastava, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, National Post Graduate College, An Autonomous College of University of Lucknow, Lucknow, India Abstract Man is a member of animal kingdom like all other animals but his unique feature is culture. Cultural activities involve art and artistic expressions which are the earliest methods of emotional manifestation through sign. The present paper deals with the origin of the artistic expression of the man, i.e. the emergence of ‘Homo aestheticus’ and discussed various related aspects. It is basically a conceptual paper; history of art begins with humanity. In his artistic instincts and attainments, man expressed his vigour, his ability to establish a gainful and optimistictherefore, mainlyrelationship the secondary with his environmentsources of data to humanizehave been nature. used for Their the behaviorsstudy. Overall as artists findings was reveal one of that the man selection is artistic characteristics by nature suitableand the for the progress of the human species. Evidence from extensive analysis of cave art and home art suggests that humans have also been ‘Homo aestheticus’ since their origins. Keywords: Man; Art; Artistic expression; Homo aestheticus; Prehistoric art; Palaeolithic art; Cave art; Home art Introduction ‘Sahityasangeetkalavihinah, Sakshatpashuh Maybe it was the time when some African apelike creatures to 7 million years ago, the first human ancestors were appeared. -
The Sterkfontein Caves, You Are Going Back Over 2,5 Billion Years to a Time When the South African Interior Was Submerged Under a Warm Shallow Sea
This guidebook is dedicated to the memory of Simon Sekowe, foreman of the Sterkfontein excavation for many years, a gifted fieldworker, and an example to us all. Cover : Skull and upper arm of the 3,3 million-year-old Australopithecus skeleton from the Silberberg Grotto (Member 2, Sterkfontein). Ó RJ Clarke and Kathleen Kuman, 1999 This booklet may be copied for educational purposes only. 1 Introduction Sterkfontein is one of the world's most productive and important palaeoanthropological sites.1 It is the place where the very first adult ape-man was found by Dr Robert Broom in 1936. This ancient cave system has over the years revealed a sequence of deposits with fossils dating from about 3,5 to 1,5 million years ago, a period of time which spans the early development of the family of man-the hominids. In addition to almost 500 skull, jaw, teeth and skeletal fossils of these early hominids, there are many thousands of other animal fossils, over 300 fragments of fossil wood, and over 9 000 stone tools which include some of the earliest manifestations of human culture on earth. Some of the youngest deposits in the cave also contain fossils and tools from the period just prior to the emergence of modern humans, the period ca. 100 000 to 250 000 years ago. The cave system at Sterkfontein, slightly simplified, after Wilkinson 1983.6 Dashed lines indicate lower caves. 2 As you descend the steps into the Sterkfontein Caves, you are going back over 2,5 billion years to a time when the South African interior was submerged under a warm shallow sea. -
Director's Report for the Period
DIRECTOR'S REPORT FOR THE PERIOD January–December 2006 NAME OF RESEARCH ENTITY: Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research NAME OF DIRECTOR: Professor BS Rubidge Contents: Page 1 Staff and appointments 2 2 Research undertaken 5 3 Publications 15 4 Conferences 23 5 Visits to other Institutions 28 6 Visiting and/or collaborating scientists 29 7 Lecturing and students 31 8 Outreach Programme 33 9 Curation of Collections 35 10 Proposed research programme 2006 37 11 Conclusion 45 With devolution of the administration of research entities to Faculties rather than the Research Office, a written annual report is no longer required by the University. However for our own records it is useful to document the activities of the BPI Palaeontology on an annual basis, as otherwise there is a real risk that important details of Institutional history will be lost sight of and disappear from memory. 1. STAFF 1.1 BPI Palaeontology Staff 1. 1.1 ACADEMIC STAFF in research entity on 31 December 2006 DESIGNA NAME GRADE R G D DATE OF RETIREME COMMENT TION BIRTH NT/TERMI (% NATION APPOITMEN DATE T, ETC) Professor Rubidge, B. NS05 W M - 1 Jun 1956 1 Jun 2016 BPIPAL 66% URC; 33% FOC Reader Berger, L. NS06 W M - 22 Dec 22 Dec 2025 Science Faculty, 1965 33%, URC paid 66% Researcher Backwell, L. NSO8 W F 2 Sep. 1 Oct 2025 Faculty 33%; 1966 URC 66 % Researcher Yates, A. NS08 W M - 13 Mar 13 Mar 2032 Replaced Alain 1972 Renaut URC paid Senior Bamford, M. NS07 W F - 25 Oct 25 Oct 2021 BPIPAL 66% Researcher 1961 URC; 33% FOC 2 1.1.2 SUPPORT STAFF in research entity on 31 December 2006 Retirement/ Position Surname R G D Date of Birth Termination Comment Date UNIVERSITY Curator Raath, M. -
Full Text (PDF)
International Journal of Art and Art History December 2014, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 35-65 ISSN: 2374-2321 (Print), 2374-233X (Online) Copyright © The Author(s). 2014. All Rights Reserved. Published by American Research Institute for Policy Development DOI: 10.15640/ijaah.v2n2a2 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.15640/ijaah.v2n2a2 A Historiographical Discussion on the Origins of Visual Art Aaron Lawler1 Abstract The purpose of this research is to identify a correlation between biological (materialist) origins and adaptations to the creation and appreciation of art, specifically through the development of the aesthetic sense. Most research in the historiography of art and the origins of visual art, come from a purely philosophical tradition. Here, the focus is on scientific historiography in conjunction with philosophy, as a lens for understanding evolutionary biological adaptation. Premise This discourse, concerning the origins of the fine arts (and more specifically the visual arts), is explored through Darwinian evolution and inherited traits. Using a primarily materialist philosophical ontology, and a scientific epistemology, I hope to explain art history from a biological historiography. In this discourse, I will not propose a sole hereditary origin for the visual arts, but allow for a view that is also not solely anthropologically and/or sociologically driven. In other words, the creation and study of the visual arts, need not be originated in only as a social construct or cultural product, but might also be a genetically, materially originated function of the human as a material entity. 1Senior Lecturer and Adjunct Faculty Mentor, Moser College - Benedictine University, USA. Phone: 630-220-9565 36 International Journal of Art and Art History, Vol. -
Early Hominidshominids
EarlyEarly HominidsHominids TheThe FossilFossil RecordRecord TwoTwo StoriesStories toto Tell:Tell: 1.1. HowHow hominidshominids evolvedevolved 2.2. HowHow interpretationsinterpretations changechange InsightInsight intointo processprocess PastPast && futurefuture changeschanges InteractingInteracting elements...elements... InterplayInterplay ofof ThreeThree ElementsElements “Hard” evidence Fossils Archeological associations Explanation Dates Reconstructions Anatomy Behavior Phylogeny Reconstruction Evidence Explanatory Frames Why did it happen? What does it mean? MutualMutual InfluenceInfluence WhereWhere toto start?start? SouthSouth Africa,Africa, 19241924 TaungTaung ChildChild Raymond Dart, 1924 Taung, South Africa Why did Dart call it a Hominid? TaungTaung ChildChild Raymond Dart, 1924 Taung, South Africa Australopithecus africanus 2.5 mya Four-year old with an ape-sized brain, humanlike small canines, and foramen magnum shifted forward NeanderthalNeanderthal HomoHomo sapienssapiens neanderthalensis neanderthalensis NeanderNeander Valley,Valley, Germany, Germany, 18561856 Age: 40-50,000 Significance: First human fossil acknowledged as such, and first specimen of Neanderthal. First dismissed as a freak, but Doctor J. C. Fuhlrott speculated that it was an ancient human. TrinilTrinil 1:1: “Java“Java Man”Man” HomoHomo erectuserectus Eugene Dubois, 1891 Trinil, Java, Indonesia Age: 500,000 yrs Significance: The Java hominid, originally classified as Pithecanthropus erectus, was the controversial “missing link” of its day. -
Defining-Modernities.Pdf (1.145Mb)
Defining Modernities Interpretations of Cultural Modernity in the Southern African Middle Stone Age Jonathan Siqveland Masters thesis in Archaeology Spring 2015 Defining Modernities I Defining Modernities Preface First and foremost, I would like to thank my supervisor Dr. Sheila Coulson for detailed comments, and assistance in creating a realistic scope for the project. It was also very valuable to have a supervisor with insights and interests in the dispute over cultural modernity. I would also like to thank Dr. Sarah Wurz, for the opportunity to be a part of the Klasies River Mouth 2015 field team. Excavating at Klasies River Mouth was an invaluable experience. I thank all of my friends who have made the writing process enjoyable. Thanks to my fellow students, especially Anette Sand-Eriksen, Eirik Haug Røe, Isak Roalkvam, Erlend Kirkeng Jørgensen, Maria Svendsen, and Stine Urke Brunstad for constructive comments and tips. Further, I must give many thanks to the rest of my friends and flatmates for being social. Thanks also to Håvard N. Sønsteby for constructive comments and discussions. I thank my parents for general support, and constructive comments. Last, but not least, I thank Sofie Scheen Jahnsen for encouragement, discussions and support. Oslo, May 2015 Jonathan Siqveland II Defining Modernities III Defining Modernities Contents Preface....................................................................................................................................... II Contents ..................................................................................................................................