Holocene paleoenvironmental change in southeastern Africa (Makwe Rockshelter, Zambia): Implications for the spread of pastoralism

摘要: Abstract The paleoenvironmental conditions surrounding the origins of pastoralism and movement herders from eastern to southern Africa sometime between ∼4000 2000 ybp have been much debated. We lack, however, detailed data sites sampling hunter-to-herder transition in southeastern Africa, likely corridor for early pastoralists. Here we report on new a site under-sampled area Zambia, Makwe Rockshelter, which has two aggregates archaeological horizons representing mid-Holocene (∼5700-5000 ybp) late Holocene (∼1600-800 ybp). sediments at document foraging society, whereas include both wild game domestic livestock. Using stable carbon isotopes (δ13C) herbivore enamel (n = 107), show that shift paleoenvironments was characterized by an increase C4 vegetation. These are complemented records Lake Malawi vegetation peaked after ∼2000 ybp coincident with onset cooler, more arid climates. This combined record implications spread across ∼3000 2000 ybp potential ‘animal disease barriers’ these may faced.