Micromammals and paleoenvironmental interpretation in southern Africa

Micromammalian remains from archaeological sites in southern Africa provide paleoenvironmental evidence at a number of levels of precision. At the lowest level, broad vegetation categories can be identified. At the second level, proportional representation of vegetation categories and general climatic conditions are indicated. the possible overlying effects of agriculture and sea-level changes can also be identified. At the third level, there is clear but as yet largely unrealized potential for quantifying climatic variation and specifying environmental factors. In order to improve potential for interpretation, greater rigor is necessary in sample collection and in the establishment of the widest possible comparative data base, with the latter being in particular need of attention. Detailed paleoenvironmental information can also provide an independent data base for assessment of ecological approaches to archaeology.