In this paper, we present a case study of the micromammal sequence from Marine Isotope Stage 5 (130,000–71,000 YBP) at Blombos Cave on the southern Cape coast of South Africa. Our analyses of the micromammal assemblage from 100,000 to 76,000 YBP shed light on micromammal taxonomic distributions, local palaeoenvironments, and site formation processes at this renowned Middle Stone Age site. Taphonomic analyses indicate that spotted eagle owls (Bubo africanus) were the main predator species responsible for accumulating the micromammals, but with contributions from barn owls (Tyto alba). In addition, the micromammal bones have been subjected to a range of post-depositional processes, some of which are associated with microbial actions likely resulting from human or animal activities in the cave. We have recorded three species in the archaeological assemblage that do not occur in the Blombos area today. These are the Hottentot golden mole (Amblysomus hottentotus), Duthie’s golden mole (Chlorotalpa duthieae), and Laminate vlei rat (Otomys laminatus). The biodiversity indices based on micromammal species suggest that local vegetation consisted of different habitats that could sustain a diverse small mammal population. During MIS 5c/5b, the diversity of species declined, but there was still a mosaic of vegetation habitats present in the local area. On a larger temporal scale, climate conditions were slightly more humid than at present, and winter rainfall was seemingly greater. The amount of winter rainfall would have been similar to locations currently c. 50–150 km further west of Blombos Cave. However, based on micromammal proxies, there were seemingly no major fluctuations visible in climate or vegetation composition during the entire 24,000-year period. We suggest that the explanation could be multifaceted, two potential factors being predator bias derived from the owls’ preference for generalist micromammal species or an actual reflection of local stable climatic and environmental conditions in the Blombos area.

在本文中，我们介绍了南非开普敦南部海岸布隆博斯洞穴海洋同位素第 5 阶段（130,000–71,000 YBP）的微型哺乳动物序列的案例研究。我们对 100,000 到 76,000 YBP 的微型哺乳动物组合的分析揭示了这个著名的中石器时代遗址的微型哺乳动物分类学分布、当地古环境和遗址形成过程。基因组学分析表明，斑点鹰鸮（Bubo Africanus）是负责积累微型哺乳动物的主要捕食者物种，但谷仓猫头鹰（Tyto alba ）也有贡献。）。此外，微型哺乳动物的骨骼经历了一系列沉积后过程，其中一些与可能由洞穴中人类或动物活动引起的微生物作用有关。我们在考古组合中记录了三种今天在布隆博斯地区没有出现的物种。它们是 Hottentot 金鼹鼠 ( Amblysomus hottentotus )、Duthie's gold鼹鼠 ( Chlorotalpa duthieae ) 和 Laminate vlei 鼠 ( Otomys laminatus )）。基于微型哺乳动物物种的生物多样性指数表明，当地植被由不同的栖息地组成，可以维持多样化的小型哺乳动物种群。在 MIS 5c/5b 期间，物种多样性下降，但局部地区仍然存在植被栖息地的马赛克。在更大的时间尺度上，气候条件比现在略有湿润，冬季降雨量似乎更大。冬季降雨量将与当前位置相似 c。在 Blombos Cave 以西 50-150 公里处。然而，基于微型哺乳动物的代理，在整个 24,000 年期间，气候或植被组成似乎没有明显的明显波动。我们建议解释可以是多方面的，