Phytoliths in plants from the south coast of the Greater Cape Floristic Region (South Africa)

Esteban, Irene; Vlok, Jan; Kotina, Ekaterina L.; Bamford, Marion K.; Cowling, Richard M.; Cabanes, Dan; Albert, Rosa M.

doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2017.05.001

Cited by 26 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Despite non–decorated spheroid morphologies have been typically associated to the wood/bark of dicot and other non-flowering plants (i.e. Gymnosperms) (e.g., [ 95 , 109 , 119 , 120 ]), they were grouped separately as they constitute an important component also in restios [ 96 , 97 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this sample the only phytoliths morphologically identified corresponded to non-fragile morphologies such as elongates, parallelepiped blockys, irregular morphologies and grass silica short cell (GSSC) rondels which are resistant morphotypes [ 115 ]. Restio phytoliths were also present, which are also suspected to be resistant morphologies [ 96 , 97 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At PP5-6N, restio phytoliths were found in contexts of combustion features so their use might be related to fire purposes and maybe with the aim of controlling the temperature. As for grasses, phytoliths from restios can also be found attached to the bark of certain trees [ 96 ]. Hence, their presence in hearth contexts can also be related to some extent as the result of wood contamination, although marginal as noted by the study of the modern plants from the area [ 96 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As for grasses, phytoliths from restios can also be found attached to the bark of certain trees [ 96 ]. Hence, their presence in hearth contexts can also be related to some extent as the result of wood contamination, although marginal as noted by the study of the modern plants from the area [ 96 ]. At Sibudu Cave, the presence of remains of burnt bedding was reported at ~77ka [ 127 , 128 ], and these were constructed mainly from sedges, other monocots and topped with aromatic, insecticidal and larvicidal dicot leaves (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Morphological identification of phytoliths was based on our modern reference material from the study area, from plant species [ 96 ] and modern surface soils [ 97 ]. The results were also compared to other modern phytolith reference South African collections of plants [ 82 , 98 – 101 ] and modern surface soils [ 99 – 101 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Phytoliths as an indicator of early modern humans plant gathering strategies, fire fuel and site occupation intensity during the Middle Stone Age at Pinnacle Point 5-6 (south coast, South Africa)

et al. 2018

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The study of plant remains in archaeological sites, along with a better understanding of the use of plants by prehistoric populations, can help us shed light on changes in survival strategies of hunter-gatherers and consequent impacts on modern human cognition, social organization, and technology. The archaeological locality of Pinnacle Point (Mossel Bay, South Africa) includes a series of coastal caves, rock-shelters, and open-air sites with human occupations spanning the Acheulian through Middle Stone Age (MSA) and Later Stone Age (LSA). These sites have provided some of the earliest evidence for complex human behaviour and technology during the MSA. We used phytoliths—amorphous silica particles that are deposited in cells of plants—as a proxy for the reconstruction of past human plant foraging strategies on the south coast of South Africa during the Middle and Late Pleistocene, emphasizing the use and control of fire as well as other possible plant uses. We analysed sediment samples from the different occupation periods at the rock shelter Pinnacle Point 5–6 North (PP5-6N). We also present an overview of the taphonomic processes affecting phytolith preservation in this site that will be critical to conduct a more reliable interpretation of the original plant use in the rock shelter. Our study reports the first evidence of the intentional gathering and introduction into living areas of plants from the Restionaceae family by MSA hunter-gatherers inhabiting the south coast of South Africa. We suggest that humans inhabiting Pinnacle Point during short-term occupation events during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5 built fast fires using mainly grasses with some wood from trees and/or shrubs for specific purposes, perhaps for shellfish cooking. With the onset of MIS 4 we observed a change in the plant gathering strategies towards the intentional and intensive exploitation of dry wood to improve, we hypothesise, combustion for heating silcrete. This human behaviour is associated with changes in stone tool technology, site occupation intensity and climate change.

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