Exploring fire use at Sibudu Cave using the kernel density tool in ArcGIS

Summary

This project utilized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in an attempt to better understand fire use at the Middle Stone Age site of Sibudu Cave, South Africa. Our project focused on the Howiesons Poort deposits (HP; ~65-62 ka). Hand drawn maps of layers/features were digitized by S. Bentsen; these maps were combined with faunal data from each feature and 50 x50 cm quadrant. Using the kernel density tool, density maps were created which allowed for an assessment of the relationship of calcined bone to hearth features. Initial results revealed that the highest frequencies of calcined bone were sometimes—but not always—in direct association with identified hearths. Furthermore, some hearths were associated with "cool" spots in which calcined bone was rare. The first result may suggest cleaning or sweeping of certain hearths, while the second finding suggests some hearths had a distinctive function in which bone was neither disposed in the fire nor used as fuel. Future work will incorporate additional artifact classes, potentially allowing for the identification of activity areas. We argue that the methods developed here may prove useful for exploring spatial organization at other sites excavated by traditional means (i.e., not subjected to 3D piece plotting).

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage