Papers of the 1st International Conference on Archaeology and Soils
Author (Chapter):
[Felix-Henningsen, Peter|PublicAdministrativeSpace:Felix-Henningsen, Peter] [Kandel, Andrew W.|PublicAdministrativeSpace:Kandel, Andrew W.] [Conard, Nicholas J.|PublicAdministrativeSpace:Conard, Nicholas J.]
Chapter Title:
Year:
2003
Serie:
British Archaeological Reports
Volume:
Pages:
45-52
Publisher:
G. Füleky
Keywords:
Paleoecology, paleopedology, coastal dunes, South Africa, Pleistocene, Holocene
ISBN:
ISSN:
URL:
Abstract:
Two types of geological strata are exposed within the interdunal deflation bays of Geelbek in the Western Cape of South Africa: 1) Multiple layers of hardpan calcrete date to the Pleistocene, and 2). Several ancient dunes show the development of paleosols dating to the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. The unvegetated mobile dune fields of Geelbek are situated within a landscape of vegetated fossil dunes and open windows into the paleoclimate, landscape history and prehistoric settlement of the West Coast region. All of the former land surfaces are associated with Stone Age artifacts and appear to have been occupied under more humid conditions than today. While the exposed calcrete layers reflect complex cycles of soil formation, erosion and karstification under changing climatic regimes, the paleosols of the overlying ancient dunes reflect formation under a different set of climatic conditions and varying time spans. The unique characteristics of these soil horizons make them useful as stratigraphic markers.
