Zooarchaeology and Taphonomic Aspects of Later Stone Age Faunal Assemblage from Loiyangalani Site in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Abstract

The paper presents detailed zooarchaeological and taphonomic results on the Later Stone Age (LSA) faunal assemblage. The contributions of various taphonomic agents in the formation of the assemblage are accentuated. The assemblage is well-preserved and the majority of specimens are not highly weathered. Fluvial disturbance did not play a significant role and can be ruled out as a significant taphonomic agent in the formation. Results indicate that LSA humans exploited high-quality nutritional resources mainly of the large-sized animals and aquatic resources as extra sources of meat and fat. The assemblage preserves stone tools butchery marks (cut marks and percussion marks) and carnivore marks (tooth marks) albeit few. Overall, the faunal assemblage exhibits high anthropogenic inputs and marginal carnivore involvement.
 Keywords: Zooarchaeology; Taphonomy; Later Stone Age; Serengeti National Park; Loiyangalani; Tanzania

Small game forgotten: Late Pleistocene foraging strategies in eastern Africa, and remote capture at Panga ya Saidi, Kenya

“…In other sites with poor preservation, NISP values are higher but identifications are only possible to body part and carcass size, and rarely taxon, limiting some kinds of interpretations. This is the case at Magubike Rockshelter (Masele and Willoughby, 2021), Mlambalasi Rockshelter (Collins and Willoughby, 2010), and open-air Loiyangalani (Masele, 2021(Masele, , 2020Thompson, 2005). LGL, Laas Geel; PEC, Porc-Epic Cave; BUL, Bubula River; FHB, Fincha Habera; MBR, Mochena Borago; KIB, Kibish Formation; RRS, Rifle Range Site; GW, Guli Waabayo; MFG, Mfangano; RUS, Rusinga; KAR, Karungu; EYM, Enkapune ya Muto; LKH, Lukenya Hill; NDU, Ndutu Beds, Olduvai Gorge; GK, Gol Kopjes; NAS, Nasera Rockshelter; MUM, Mumba Rockshelter; MGB, Magubike; KC, Kuumbi Cave; PYS, Panga ya Saidi.…”