Large mammal remains from the 100 KA middle stone age layers of blombos cave, South Africa

Abstract

The large mammal remains from the c. 100 ka layers of theM3phase at Blombos Cave in the southern Cape, are reported. A wide range of mammal taxa are present, dominated by small game animals, including rock hyrax, Cape dune molerat, steenbok/grysbok and Cape fur seal. These taxa also dominate other important Middle Stone Age sites on the southern and western coast of theWestern Cape of South Africa. There is sufficient evidence that most of the mammals, including rock hyrax and Cape dune molerat, were collected by humans. The fauna suggests an open and rocky environment, as well as moist conditions.