Date:

Early humans were drawn to Kalahari during water-rich periods

Evidence of water-rich periods in the Kalahari attracted early humans, according to a new study published in the journal PLOS ONE.

The Kalahari is a large semi-arid sandy savanna in Southern Africa, named from a Setswana word kgala or “great thirst”. Until recently, most evidence for early human development in southern Africa has stemmed from the country’s southern coast.

- Advertisement -

A research project by the University of Cape Town has been studying tufa rock formations on Ga-Mohana Hill, 12km from Kuruman in the Northern Cape, revealing that the southern Kalahari once had waterfalls, flowing streams and pools of water that supported early humans.

Tufa deposits are porous sedimentary rocks composed of calcium carbonate which are formed by evaporation of water that emerges in springs. Dating sequences of samples from the tufa formations at Ga-Mohana Hill dates the rock to five distinct episodes over the last 110,000 years, three of which coincide with evidence of human occupation.

The study shows that that there are links between human occupation and water availability in the southern Kalahari before 71,000 years ago. Around 20,000 years ago during the Last Glacial Maximum, a break-down in tufa formations suggest that the climate was much drier, although human occupation persisted, challenging the previously held theory that humans occupied these arid regions only during wetter periods, and it may suggest arid-adapted behaviours.

“Tufas are not actively forming today. So that’s really a clue that the environment was different in the past,” said Von der Meden of the Department of Geological Sciences and UCT’s Human Evolution Research Institute (HERI).

- Advertisement -

“We’ve shown a record of water in the tufas that not only matches the archaeological record but also provides evidence of a crucial resource for the people living at Ga-Mohana. These findings shed light on climate change and the impact of this on human evolution,” added Meden.


University of Cape Town

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270104

Header Image Credit : Jessica von der Meden

- Advertisement -

Stay Updated: Follow us on iOS, Android, Google News, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, and our newsletter

spot_img
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan is a multi-award-winning journalist and the Managing Editor at HeritageDaily. His background is in archaeology and computer science, having written over 8,000 articles across several online publications. Mark is a member of the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW), the World Federation of Science Journalists, and in 2023 was the recipient of the British Citizen Award for Education, the BCA Medal of Honour, and the UK Prime Minister's Points of Light Award.
spot_img
spot_img

Mobile Application

spot_img

Related Articles

Ten Roman wonders of Britain

Discover the Roman Empire’s extraordinary legacy left on Britain through this selection of ten Roman wonders.

New archaeological treasures unearthed at Finziade

Archaeologists excavating at Finziade in southern Italy have unearthed an artisan workshop and a domestic sacellum containing archaeological treasures.

Significant multi-period discoveries in Delbrück-Bentfeld

An archaeological excavation in Delbrück-Bentfeld, a town in the east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, has unearthed nearly 400 features of archaeological interest that span several centuries.

Excavation confirms the origin of Sheffield Castle

Archaeologists excavating the former site of Sheffield Castle site have confirmed that an artificial mound within the castle interior is a motte dating back to the earliest phase of the castle’s construction.

WWII bunker unexpectedly discovered during forest clearance works

A WWII bunker has been discovered during forest clearance works for the S17 Piaski–Hrebenne expressway in eastern Poland.

Salvage project reveals 500 years of Veracruz history

An archaeological salvage project in Veracruz, Mexico, has uncovered more than five centuries of the city’s urban development and everyday life.

Aerial photographs indicate an enormous Avar-Era cemetery

An analysis of aerial photographs has led to the discovery of a previously unknown Avar-era cemetery on the outskirts of Tatabánya, Hungary.

Excavations reveal a vast Roman villa complex

Archaeologists from Inrap have revealed a vast Roman villa complex during excavations in Auxerre, France.