Great way to end the second week! First in-situ ostrich eggshell of the season at Klipdrift Cave ~14,000 years ago. 🏺 #archaeology

We ended the first week of excavations slowly uncovering Klipdrift Shelter (new sandbags at the ready!) Next week after another day or two we should be ready to begin excavations. I’ll be focusing on Klipdrift Cave where I’m hoping to find evidence of habitation during the Last Glacial Maximum. 🏺

We had a windy Wednesday (the toilet tents almost made an escape) but Thursday we made it to Klipdrift Cave and Shelter! We spent the day cleaning baboon poop, finding the old sand bags covering the site and testing the new walkway. We just need to watch the tide… #archaeology 🏺

First day setting up camp! ⛺️ getting ready for archaeological 🏺excavations at Klipdrift Cave and Shelter in De Hoop nature reserve, South Africa.

Planning to attend EAA2025? Consider submitting to Session #14: Prehistoric Exploitation of Waterscapes and Aquatic Resources hosted by Mariana Nabais, Anna Rufà, García-Escárzaga, and myself.

Abstract deadline Feb 6th. 🏺

www.e-a-a.org/EAA2025

Ooo! Just found “The Missing Thread” by Daisy Dunn at the bookstore— excited to add to my “to read list” for the new year! #archaeology🏺 #BookSky

Ending out the year with submitting a proposal to fund an archaeological project on social complexity in coastal forager during the Later Stone Age in South Africa.
Keeping my fingers crossed and holding thumbs. 🏺

Final Fun fish fact! 🏺
I will be excavating in 2025 at Klipdrift Cave (14,000-9,000 years ago) as part of SapienCE where fish bones have previously been recovered.
This will add to our understanding of coastal foragers. What fish were they fishing? How intensely? Image: Henshilwood et al. 2014

Fun fish fact #4 🐟 #archaeology 🏺
What fishing technologies existed during the Middle Stone Age in South Africa? We don’t have any archaeological examples but based on the species it could be:
-hand fishing
-spear fishing
-hook and line
-nets

Image: black musselcracker from TwoOceans Aquarium

Fun fish fact #3
Many fish harvested during the Middle and Later Stone Ages in South Africa are local species like the white stumpnose (left image). However, the yellowtail amberjack (right), a popular sushi species today, is throughout the southern hemisphere. #archaeology
Images: Brian Gratwicke

Fun fish fact #2: Did you know sharks/rays were consumed at the Middle Stone Age site of Klasies River Main Site in South Africa between ~115,000 - 50,000 years ago?

(Image of Klasies River from Grine et al. 2017)

#archaeology 🏺
#paleoanthropology

I am writing about archaeological fish remains from South Africa which means time for some fun fish facts!
One of the most common fish species from the Middle Stone Age is the White Sea catfish.
It is scaleless with a venomous spine and very abundant today. A very friendly face too.
#archaeology