Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter
 | |
| Location | KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa |
|---|---|
| Type | Rock shelter |
| Length | 47 m |
| Width | 8 m |
| Height | 17.5 m |
| History | |
| Periods | Marine Isotope Stage 5-1 |
| Cultures | Middle Stone Age, Later Stone Age, Iron Age |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | 1985, 2018-2019 |
Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter is an archaeological site located in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, near the suburb of Hillcrest.[1] The site preserves a significant archaeological sequence spanning the Middle Stone Age (MSA) to Later Stone Age (LSA) transition, making it one of the few sites in southern Africa with continuous occupation through this important period.[2]
Site description
[edit]The rock shelter is 47 m long, 8 m wide and 17.5 m high, facing northeast.[2] It was formed within quartz arenite sandstone of the Ordovician Mariannhill Formation of the Natal Group.[2] The site is located approximately 60 m above the Umhlatuzana River and is well-protected from direct precipitation and weather by surrounding vegetation.[1]
Archaeological history
[edit]The site was discovered in 1982 by Dr. Rodney Maud during the construction of the Mariannhill Toll Road on N3 Johannesburg-Durban highway. Initial excavations were conducted by Jonathan Kaplan in 1985, who opened a 6 m² trench reaching bedrock at around 2.5 m depth.[2] More recent excavations were carried out in 2018 and 2019.[1]
Stratigraphy and dating
[edit]The stratigraphic sequence at Umhlatuzana can be divided into two main groups:
- Group H (Holocene deposits) - approximately upper 50 cm
- Group P (Pleistocene deposits) - approximately lower 2 m
The sequence spans approximately 70,000 years of occupation history.[2] Radiocarbon dates from charcoal samples and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating have been used to establish the chronology of the deposits.[1]
Archaeological findings
[edit]The site has yielded a rich collection of artifacts representing multiple cultural phases:
- Pre-Still Bay
- Still Bay
- Howiesons Poort
- Late MSA
- Transitional MSA/LSA
- Robberg technocomplexes[1]
Site formation and preservation
[edit]Recent geoarchaeological studies have revealed several key aspects of the site's formation:
- The primary source of sediments is from ongoing rockshelter wall attrition
- Evidence of fire use is present throughout the sequence, with better preservation in Holocene layers
- Post-depositional processes include bioturbation on a millimeter to centimeter scale
- The site shows varying preservation conditions, with better organic material preservation in the Holocene deposits[2]
Scientific significance
[edit]Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter is particularly important for understanding the Middle to Later Stone Age transition in southern Africa. The site provides a continuous sequence through this period, though preservation conditions vary throughout the deposits.[2] Recent studies have shown that while some bioturbation occurred, the overall stratigraphic integrity of the site is better than previously thought, making it valuable for studying technological developments and human behavioral evolution in the region.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Sifogeorgaki, I.; Klinkenberg, V.; Esteban, I. (2020). "New Excavations at Umhlatuzana rockshelter, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A stratigraphic and taphonomic evaluation". African Archaeological Review. 37: 551–578. doi:10.1007/s10437-020-09410-w. hdl:1887/3142497.
- ^ a b c d e f g Sifogeorgaki, I.; Huisman, H.; Karkanas, P. (2024). "Sand, hearths, lithics and a bit of bioturbation: Site formation processes at Umhlatuzana rockshelter, South Africa" (PDF). Geoarchaeology. 39: 212–237. doi:10.1002/gea.21988.