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Charcoal analysis from 49 000-year-old hearths at Sibudu: Implications for wood uses and the KwaZulu-Natal environment

South African Archaeological Bulletin
Volume 70 Issue 201 (Jun 2015)

Abstract: Sibudu's layer, Mottled Deposit (MOD), has an age of 49 100 years. Four hearths are present and the charcoal from them was identified to genera and often to species level. Poisonous 'Spirostachys africana' occurred in one hearth that may have been designed as an insectrepelling fire. 'Acacia' wood was generally favoured, probably as fuel wood, but a variety of taxa is represented. Each hearth has some taxa that do not occur in the others. The suite of taxa supports an interpretation of mosaic vegetation communities in an environment that was warmer and drier than that of preceding periods.

To cite this article: Lennox, Sandra; Wadley, Lyn and Bamford, Marion. Charcoal analysis from 49 000-year-old hearths at Sibudu: Implications for wood uses and the KwaZulu-Natal environment [online]. South African Archaeological Bulletin, Vol. 70, No. 201, Jun 2015: 36-52. Availability: <https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=484722244726546;res=IELHSS> ISSN: 0038-1969. [cited 09 Oct 19].

Personal Author: Lennox, Sandra; Wadley, Lyn; Bamford, Marion; Source: South African Archaeological Bulletin, Vol. 70, No. 201, Jun 2015: 36-52 Document Type: Journal Article ISSN: 0038-1969 Subject: Anthracology; Charcoal--Analysis; Wood--Identification; Acacia; Herbs--Therapeutic use; Plants--Identification; Peer Reviewed: Yes Affiliation: (1) Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O. WITS, 2050, South Africa
(2) Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O. WITS, 2050, South Africa, email: lyn.wadley@wits.ac.za
(3) Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O. WITS, 2050, South Africa, email: marion.bamford@wits.ac.za

Database: Humanities & Social Sciences Collection