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Stone-Walled Tidal Fish Traps: an Archaeological and Archival Investigation

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Stone-Walled Tidal Fish Traps: an Archaeological and Archival Investigation STONE-WALLED TIDAL FISH TRAPS: AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ARCHIVAL INVESTIGATION PHILLIP JAMES HINE Thesis presented for the degree of Master of Philosophy In the Department of Archaeology University of Cape Town January 2008 Abstract This thesis investigates whether or not there is an association between Holocene Later Stone Age shell middens and stone-walled tidal fish traps between Cape Agulhas and Still Bay, on the south coast of the Western Cape. These features are known to have a wide distribution but are particularly densely distributed on the south coast, mainly close to historic settlements. Previous research based on the presence of small species of fish from one archaeological site and sea level data have suggested that stone fish traps could be as old as ca. 5 000 B.P. In this thesis, I investigated the antiquity of fish traps by excavating four shell middens located adjacent to fish traps at Cape Agulhas and analysing the contents of these, and of two previously excavated sites at Still Bay. Furthermore, archival research was conducted to obtain as much information as possible about patterns of use of fish traps in historic times. In addition the reports on fish remains from archaeological sites in the Western Cape have been re-evaluated. The results of the archaeological investigation indicated no association between the LSA middens and fish traps and none of the archaeological sites in the literature suggest fishing on the scale normally associated with fish trapping. In contrast, there was a strong link between the building and use of fish traps amongst historic communities along the south coast. Based on the current evidence a pre-colonial age for the practice of fishing with stone- walled tidal fish traps can no longer be entertained. i Acknowledgements First and foremost I want to thank my supervisor, Prof. Judith Sealy for her constant support and encouragement throughout the duration of this project. I would like to thank her for always keeping her door open and being a source of inspiration. Her expert proof reading and editing of many early drafts of this thesis is gratefully acknowledged. My co-supervisors Mr. David Halkett and Mr. Timothy Hart brought the idea of investigating stone-walled tidal fish traps to my attention. I would like to thank them for the many discussions which allowed me to look at my own work more critically. Dave Halkett read an earlier draft. I would also like to thank them for allowing me join in many of their field trips over the course of the past three years. It has been a richly rewarding process and provided me with the opportunity to sharpen my skills as an archaeologist. This thesis benefited from discussions with many people. I thank Charlie Arthur, Johan Binneman, Simon Hall, Lucy Kemp, Alex Mackay, John Parkington and Ara Welz and for their valuable input. Lance van Sittert of the History Department provided assistance with the historical aspect of this project. I would also like to thank Gerrit Mars and Jan te Vink of Still Bay for discussion and documents relating to the fish traps at Still Bay. The staff and students of the Archaeology Department at UCT are acknowledged for assistance at various stages of this thesis. A special debt of gratitude goes to Charlie Arthur, Brian Stewart, Liesbet Schietecatte, Ntantazo Mjikiliso, Mpakamo ‘Elvis’ Sasa and Shadreck Chirikure for help and assistance in the field. Jane Noah had the tedious job of checking my references. Genevieve Dewar analysed the terrestrial fauna and Cedric Poggenpoel identified the fish remains. A special debt of gratitude goes to Royden Yates. Last but not least I would like to thank my family for their understanding and support. Generous funding for this project was provided by the Wenner Gren Foundation and the National Research Foundation. Mr. Christiaan Mostert allowed us to undertake excavations on his property at Paapkuil Fontein, Cape Agulhas ii Table of Contents Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................ii List of Figures ........................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables...........................................................................................................................viii CHAPTER 1............................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Previous Research ...........................................................................................................5 1.3 Research Area ................................................................................................................. 7 1.4 Thesis layout ................................................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER 2............................................................................................................................... 9 2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 9 2.2 The archaeology of coastal groups: changing perspectives .......................................... 12 2.3 Later Stone Age Holocene Archaeology....................................................................... 19 2.4 Holocene fishing evidence ............................................................................................ 26 2.5 Fishing technology ........................................................................................................ 34 2.6 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 36 CHAPTER 3............................................................................................................................. 37 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 37 3.2 Choice of sites and excavation methods ....................................................................... 38 3.3 Paapkuil Fontein 4.............................................................................................................. 40 3.3.1 Stratigraphy and Dating ............................................................................................. 41 3.3.2 Results ........................................................................................................................ 42 3.3.3 Lithics......................................................................................................................... 42 3.3.4 Ostrich eggshell..........................................................................................................43 3.3.5 Shellfish...................................................................................................................... 43 3.3.6 Bone ........................................................................................................................... 47 3.4 Paapkuil Fontein 5.............................................................................................................. 47 3.4.1 Stratigraphy and Dating ............................................................................................. 48 3.4.2 Results ........................................................................................................................ 49 3.3.3 Lithics......................................................................................................................... 49 3.4.4 Ostrich eggshell..........................................................................................................52 3.4.5 Shell artefacts ............................................................................................................. 52 3.4.6 Shellfish...................................................................................................................... 53 3.4.7 Bone ........................................................................................................................... 55 3.5 Paapkuil Fontein 11............................................................................................................ 55 3.5.1 Stratigraphy and Dating ............................................................................................. 56 iii 3.5.2 Results ........................................................................................................................ 57 3.5.3 Lithics......................................................................................................................... 57 3.5.4 Ostrich eggshell..........................................................................................................59 3.5.5 Pottery ........................................................................................................................ 59 3.5.6 Shellfish...................................................................................................................... 59 3.5.7 Bone ........................................................................................................................... 61
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