Palynology and palaeo-environment of Pleistocene hyaena coprolites from an open-air site at Oyster Bay, Eastern Cape coast, South Africa

Abstract

Hyaena coprolites in a soil horizon at Oyster Bay, Eastern Cape coast, South Africa, were found associated with abundant, early Last Glacial vertebrate faunal remains that were apparently accumulated by brown hyaenas and prehistoric humans. Artefacts of the Howieson's Poort sub-stage of the Middle Stone Age occur in the same soil. Although direct association between the different finds cannot be demonstrated, there is evidence to suggest that they are broadly contemporaneous. Pollen assemblages in the coprolites were dominated by Myrica and, to a lesser extent, Stoebe-Elytropappus type and Poaceae. Comparison with the modern pollen spectrum suggests that the past environment differed markedly from the current. The presence of Stoebe-Elytropappus, in particular, is considered to indicate a displacement of vegetation zones to lower altitudes. Both fossil pollen and fauna suggest a landscape with a complex mosaic of vegetation indicative of overall cooler, more inland conditions than today