Changing environments in Oxygen Isotope Stage 3: reconstructions using archaeological charcoal from Sibudu Cave.

Charcoal was analysed from late Middle Stone Age (MSA) layers dating to 56.7 ± 2.3 kyr, 53.4 ± 3.2 kyr and 26 000 ± 420 BP. Most of the species identified can be found in the area today and therefore this initial analysis does not provide strong evidence for a different environment in the late MSA. The charcoal assemblages are dominated by riverine and evergreen forest components, although deciduous forest taxa that are found near the cave today are also present. In all levels there are indications of a drier open environment with taxa that occur only in northern parts of South Africa. These species suggest that another environment near the cave was exploited by its inhabitants in addition to the riverine vegetation. The charcoal results complement environmental interpretations from the analysis of seeds and fauna at Sibudu Cave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]