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- Title
HUMAN BURIALS FROM SOMNAAS FARM, NAMAQUALAND, SOUTH AFRICA.
- Authors
DEWAR, GENEVIEVE; SEALY, JUDITH; HALKETT, DAVID
- Abstract
In April 2001, an intact human burial (UCT 579) was accidentally uncovered during diamond mining activity on the Somnaas farm in Namaqualand and was subsequently excavated by the Archaeology Contracts Office. This find presented a rare opportunity to record the burial style, as very few in situ burials have been encountered in the Namaqualand region. The skeleton is that of an adult female, 26 ± 2 years old at death, radiocarbon dated to 1250 ± 70 BP (GX-32527). The grave was dug into the approximately +3 m mid-Holocene cobble beach, and the body placed in a flexed, approximately horizontal position. Grave goods (unusual in burials on theWest coast) included a lower grindstone, a Conus mozambicus pendant, a partial tortoise carapace bowl, and Raphicerus sp. phalanges (hoofs). d13C and d15N values indicate that this woman's diet included a substantial proportion of marine foods. Fragmentary remains from a second individual found in a trench nearby (UCT 643), were also collected and dated to 3490 ± 80 BP (GX-32528). d13C and d15N values indicate that this individual consumed a diet that consisted mostly of terrestrial foods. This information provides insight into the variability in burial practices and lifeways of ancient indigenous people in South Africa.
- Subjects
NAMAQUALAND (South Africa); SOUTH Africa; GRAVE goods; DIAMOND mining; RADIOCARBON dating; PHALANGES; INDIGENOUS peoples; FARMS
- Publication
South African Archaeological Bulletin, 2020, Vol 75, Issue 213, p111
- ISSN
0038-1969
- Publication type
Article