Table Of ContentThe UniversityofChicago Press
gratefully acknowledges a subvention
from the National Science Foundation
inpartial supportofthe costs
ofproduction ofthis volume,
Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Part 1 l. Introduction 3
AGuide to the InterpretationofBone 2. Parts ofthe Skeleton: Survival and
Accumulations in Afrícan Caves Disappearance 11
3. Food Remains of Primitive People in
Southem African Caves 30
4. Food Remains of Camivores in African
Caves 56
5. Porcupinesas BoneCollectors in African
Caves 109
6. The ContributionofOwls 118
7. Some Compressional Effects on Bones
Preserved inCave Breccia 134
8. Sumrnary: Bone Accumulations in
Southem African Caves-A Searchfor
Interpretive Criteria 138
Part 2 9. The Fossil Animals 147
FossilAssemblagesfrom the Sterkfontein Valley 10. Sterkfontein 190
Caves: Analysisand Interpretation
11. Swartkrans 220
12. Kromdraai 248
13. A Note on Taung and Makapansgat 262
14. Who Were the Hunters and Who The
Hunted? 266
Appendix: Tables 275
References 347
Index 363
vii
Acknowledgments
Paleontological work is usually time-consuming, and this In the Anatorny Department of the University of the
project has beco no exceptíon. In my particular circum Witwatersrand Professor P. V. Tobías remains an
stances1have beco able to complete it only through pro esteemed colleague and warm friend, and he and Mr.
longed misuse oftime intendedfor recreation: the person Alun Hughes have been my companions during many
who has bornethe bruntofthis misuse is mywife Laura. days of fruitful discussions at the caves. On sorne such
who has supported me beyond measure with herparticu occasions we have been joined by Dr. James Kitching,
lar blend of loyalty and laughter. Our four children, Mr. Brianand Dr. Judy Maguire,and Dr. Tim Partridge.1
Rosemary, Virginia, Timothy, and Conrad, have all have benefited greatIy from the experience and kindness
helped meinmanyways,from sorting innumerablebones ofthese people.
to surveying the caves they carne from. In addition, Vir It would not have been possible to initiate tbe re
ginia has drawn many of the diagrams and charts that searchdescribedinthisbookwithoutthe personalinterest
iIIustrate the text. of Mrs. Lita Osmundsen and the generosity of the
TIte investigatíon described in this book has beco, for Wenner-Gren Foundation. The symposium this founda
me, an adventure ofthe mind, prompted by the imagina tion sponsoredinAustriaduring 1976helpedtocrystallize
tive concepts oíProfessorR. A. Dart. 00 this adventure the new science of taphonomy and to chart its future
myelmostdaily companionhasbeen Dr. ElisabethVrba, course. My appreciation is due to fellow taphonomists
whohasfreelygiven methe benefitsofherlucid mindand Dr. Andrew Hill, Dr. Kay Behrensmeyer, and Dr. Alan
unboundedenlhusiasm.She had also addedagooddeal to Walkerfor theiractive guidanceinthis venture.
the significance of this book through the results of her On geological aspects of this project 1 have had the
own research. benefit of Professor Karl Butzer's wide experience and
At the Transvaal Museum I would not have been able critical appraisal. My research has been the better for 11.
to remainscientificallyactivewithoutthe helpofMrs. M. I have also appreciated the wise counsel ofProfessor F.
C, Erasmus,who has willingly shoulderedmuch ofwhalI Clark Howell and the fruitful cooperation of Professor
wouldnormallyhavebeenexpectedtodo. Richard Klein. At the South African Museum, Dr. Brell
Othermuseum cotleagues have also aided me in many Hendey has generously helped me in a variety ofways.
ways,particularlyMrs. ElizabethVoigt, who helpedwith Itis apleasurelo acknowledgethe helpand hospitality
the analysisofboneaccumulationsduringthe earlystages ofMr. Attila Port and his wife Karen during productive
ofthe projectandis now continuingherstudiesoffaunal periods of fieldwork in Soulh-Wesl Africa. I am also
remains from archaeologícal sites. Dr. Atan Kemp has gratefulto Mr. C. K. Cooke, who was mycompanionand
aided me wíth research inthe KrugerNational Park, and guide duringmany happydays spentin Rhodesian caves.
the companionship of Mr. O. P. M. Prozesky was ap Col. J. Scott has generously allowed me access to his
preciatedduringfieldwork inSoulh-WeslMrica. Ms. Im Uitkornst nature reserve where so many ofmy observa
ogen Chesselet has preparedmanyofthe drawingsinthis tions have been made.
book; Mrs. Ronel Goode has tracked many obscure li Many thanks are due to the following friends and col
brary referencesfor me, and Mrs. EIsa Kirstentyped the leagues without whose help the work described in this
manuscript with patience and precision. book would not have been completed: the late Professor
Forseven years my field team at Swartkrans has been W. W. Bishop, Professor C. S. Churcher, Dr. R. 1.
supervised by Mr. George Moenda, and the services oC Clarke, Mr.C.G.Coetzee,ProfessorH. B.S. Cooke,Dr.
Mr. Absalom Lebeloand Mr. JackSepenghave notgene O. H. S. Davts, ProfessorH. J. Deacon, Mrs. J. Deacon,
unnoticed. Dr. N. J. Dippenaar, Mr. W. du Plessis, Professor L.
The Swartkrans site was acquired bythe University of Freedman, Dr. C. E. Gow, Professor R. F. Holloway,
the Witwatersrand in 1968and, since then, the Boardof Professor G. L1. Isaac. Professor T. Jenkins, Or. M. O.
Controlofthe BemardPrice lnstítuteforPalaeontological Leakey, Mr. R. E. F. Leakey, Professor A. E. Mann,
Research has generously aUowed me to continue my in Professor R. J. Mason, Professor H. McHenry, Mr. M.
vestigationsthere. 1am much indebtedto ProfessorS. H. G. L. Milis, Dr. U. de V. Pienaar, Dr. I. L. Raulenbach,
HaughtonandProfessorS. P.Jacksonfortheirinterestin ProfessorJ. T. Robinson, Dr. B. H. Sandelowsky, Dr. M.
this work. K. Seely, Miss V. SCOll, ProfessorJ. D. Skinner, Mr. F.
ix
x Acknowledgments
van den Broek, Dr. W. E. Wendt, Professor M. H. Wol Mr. W. J. Weideman, and the National Monuments
poff, and ProfessorA. Zihlmann. Councilfor their sympathetic supportof my research.
Finally my thanks must go to the BoardofTrustees of Drawings initialed1.M.C. weredoneby ImagenChes
the Transvaal Museum, underchairmanshipofProfessor selet. AH photographs are by the author except those
F. C. Bloff the University Research División of the otherwise acknowledged in the legends.
Councilfor Scientificand Industrial Research, headed by
Part 1
A Guide to the Interpretation of Bone
Accumulations in African Caves
