Coastal foraging of Turbo sarmaticus at Klasies River Main Site: an experimental approach

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dc.contributor.authorHolmes, Carl Louis
dc.date.accessioned2024-01-25T11:45:01Z
dc.date.available2024-01-25T11:45:01Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.descriptionA research report submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Archaeology to the Faculty of Science, School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023
dc.description.abstractAn increase in shellfish exploitation and strong seasonal fluctuations in terrestrial foraging at ca. 100 000 years ago along the Cape coast has been noted. It is hypothesised that marine foraging provided a more reliable year-round source of nutrients. As Turbo sarmaticus (alikreukel) is one of the major prey species found at Middle Stone Age (MSA) sites along the southern Cape, and Klasies River Main Site (KRM) specifically, this species was targeted in an archaeological and actualistic study. T. sarmaticus specimens were collected and processed by two participants to examine the possible methods used by MSA foragers and the meat was extracted using three tool types (bone, lithics, wood). Some specimens were cooked whilst others were processed raw. An analysis of the lengths of T. sarmaticus opercula of the ca. 100 000 years ago Shell Midden One (SMONE) layer from KRM shows that the archaeological opercula are similar in size to the experimental sample. A larger proportion of the archaeological opercula, however, fall within the smaller size range. An age index was developed for T. sarmaticus by correlating operculum size to shell size. This suggested that the archaeological specimens were younger when collected, or that they foraged during spring or winter. The opercula from SMONE are markedly smaller than other MSA II opercula from the Cape coast but bigger than LSA opercula. This might be related to more intensive predation, seasonality and sea surface temperature. A taphonomic analysis of both the experimental and archaeological samples was undertaken. The experimental specimens that were processed raw indicated percussion marks typically placed in the 3rd and 4th wedges. A proportion of the archaeological sample shows this pattern as well. This shows that some of the archaeological samples may have been raw extracted. Furthermore, the breakage types are very similar in both samples, however post-depositional breakage only affected the archaeological sample. This study demonstrates that broader insight can be developed through an actualistic study combined with a taphonomic analysis.
dc.description.librarianTL (2024)
dc.description.sponsorshipNational Research Foundation (NRF)
dc.facultyFaculty of Science
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37429
dc.language.isoen
dc.schoolGeography, Archaeology and Environmental Sciences
dc.subjectTurbo sarmaticus
dc.subjectKlasies River Main Site
dc.subjectAlikreukel
dc.titleCoastal foraging of Turbo sarmaticus at Klasies River Main Site: an experimental approach
dc.typeDissertation
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