W4: L18 = Palaeozoology [Human Impact - Bosutswe] (Prof. Shaw)

Question 1

Bosutswe general attributes? (4)

Answer 1

• Botswana.
• Timeline = Iron Age.
• Associated with black farmers.
• Excellent eg to study change over time of human occupation (as it is the longest occupied site).

Question 2

Iron Age site attributes? (4)

Answer 2

• Had cattle, chicken.
• Metal working.
• Pottery producing.
• Farming.

Question 3

Bosutswe site attributes? (5)

Answer 3

• Longest continuously occupied Iron Age site.
• 700-1700 AD.
• Large faunal sample.
• Identified multiple bones & teeth.
• Comprised many diverse species such as primates, rodents & giraffes.

Question 4

Evidence of human impact? (3)

Answer 4

• Increase in small prey (hyrax, hares, etc).
• Decrease in large prey.
• Increase in cattle.

Question 5

Impact of humans? (3)

Answer 5

• Decline in large game, increase usage of small prey, increased focus on cattle herding.
• Suggests intensive hunting (overhunting or resource depression).
• Increase use of domestic animals documented elsewhere in the world as a response.