Stable isotope evidence for mid-Pleistocene paleoenvironmental conditions at the site of Kathu Pan 1 (central interior, South Africa)

This study investigates the Mid-Pleistocene paleoenvironment and dietary behaviour of ancient herbivores in the South African central interior, today part of the semi-arid Kalahari savanna. Analyses were undertaken of carbon (delta C-13) and oxygen (delta O-18) stable isotopes in tooth enamel carbonate of twelve fossil herbivore species from Layers 4b and 4a, associated with Earlier Stone Age (ESA) and transitional ESA-Middle Stone Age (Fauresmith) industries respectively, at the archaeological site of Kathu Pan 1. The data are compared with other Eearly to Mid-Pleistocene herbivore assemblages located in the central interior, namely Cornelia-Uitzoek, Wonderwerk Cave and the Florisbad Spring. Results indicate that the median delta C-13 values for all ungulate taxa at Kathu were >-4 parts per thousand, indicating predominantly C-4 based diets, although in certain taxa, some individuals included a significant C-3 component in their diet. The delta O-1(8) values of most species at Kathu were relatively low, suggesting a cooler and/or wetter climate. Carbon isotope evidence for C-4 dominated habitats at Kathu, but with a larger C-3 component amongst grazers than today, resembles the other Early to -Mid-Pleistocene assemblages in the region. Similarly, delta O-18 values for Kathu supplement existing evidence that the region was substantially wetter than in modern times.

Automated summary

This study investigates the paleoenvironment and dietary behavior of ancient herbivores in the South African central interior during the Mid-Pleistocene, using carbon and oxygen stable isotopes analysis on tooth enamel carbonate. The results suggest that the herbivores mainly had C-4 based diets and the region was substantially wetter than in modern times.