The Makapansgat Limeworks grey breccia: hominids, hyaenas, hystricids or hillwash?
Date
1980
Authors
Maguire, J. M.
Pemberton, D.
Collett, M. H.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research
Abstract
The question of the origin of the Makapansgat Limeworks grey breccia is here considered
from two viewpoints:
(a) the accumulation of bones within a catchment area; and
(b) the possible concentration of the bones in their final resting place.
The potential role of hyaenas and porcupines as bone-accumulating agents is investigated.
Nine categories of hyaena damage to bone surfaces could be distinguished on collections of
bone taken from a series of recent hyaena breeding dens. All nine categories can be demonstrated
in identical form on fossil bones from the grey breccia. It is concluded that carnivores
have played a more substantial role as accumulators of the bones in this breccia than has previously
been acknowledged.
Porcupines are excluded as major contributors to the grey breccia bone assemblage on the
basis of the low percentage of porcupine-gnawed bones present compared with recent porcupine
accumulations. Furthermore, the pattern of damage observed on porcupine-collected
skeletal elements does not resemble that documented for the grey breccia.
A 3-dimensional computer plot of the topography of the Limeworks travertine floor shows
the presence of two larger and two smaller basins separated from each other by floor "highs".
A floor "high" around the grey breccia is demonstrated and may have been a significant factor
in bone concentration. Sedimentation within separate basins need -not necessarily have
been synchronous or equivalent, and the practice of equating Members from one part of the
cavern to another is questioned.
Stereographic projections of the dip and strike orientations of the long axes of a number of
in situ grey breccia bones in two separate areas indicate orientation patterns and imbrication.
The results of the projections suggest that a combination of water current action and gravity
may have been responsible for the present configuration of the bones.
Description
Main article
Keywords
Makapansgat; Limeworks; breccia; hominids; hyaena; hystricid; hillwash
Citation
None