FURTHER GLIMPSES FROM THE ONSET OF THE MEGAMIDDEN PERIOD: RESCUE ARCHAEOLOGY AT DUINE STREET, ELANDS BAY.

Redevelopment of a property in Elands Bay village reuealed the buried contextuaremains of previously unknown shell middens. Although subsequent archaeological excauations recovered only ci small sample, the ca 3000 cal BP assemblage adds nteailingfully to the local cultural sequence. The shallow depth of the shell-supported lenses suggests single occupation events. A modest but noticeable aniount of terrestrial witt marine vertebrate remains of small prey was recovered, along with a few cultural artefacts. Much of the excavated volumes comprise marine shell, amoug which large-sized black mussels (Choromytilus settlemeridionalis) are domintint. A limited number of limpets anti afeze Cape rock lobster (Jasus lalandii) mandibles also form part of tile marine invertebrate assemblage. The choice of settlement close to the shoreline and a focus on black mussels reflect some of the hallmarks of sites dated to the beginning of the megamidden period. Beyond the interpretation of its contents, this rescued material increases the evidence of occupation behind the northern shore Of Elands Bay and indicates that similar sites may lie buried beneath both the village and the adjacent ditnes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]