Abstract
The Later Stone Age (LSA) site of Zuurberg in the Cape Fold
Mountains of South Africa was excavated in the 1920s by F.W.
FitzSimons. As with his other excavations, not much is known
about the exact provenance and detailed archaeological context
of the remains. This paper reports the re-analysis and dating of
the human skeletal remains from Zuurberg. The remains were
commingled but here sorted according to previously published
sources. The remains of eight individuals are present, of which
only one (Zg3) is fairly complete. The assemblage includes four
older adults, two younger or middle-aged adults, an adolescent
and a child. Two of the three individuals who could be assessed
showed signs of enamel hypoplasia, which probably attests to
some hardship. One of the individuals was dated to 4795 ± 42 BP
(Ua-61976), which places this site into the Wilton period of the
South African LSA. However, the different levels of burials, as well
as the presence of potsherds, may suggest an extended use of
the site. Isotopic analysis suggests a mixed diet, which was not
depleted of protein. The reassessment, sorting and dating of
these remains add value to the collection, especially as they
come from an open-air, non-coastal forager site. This assemblage
can now be included in future studies of southern African Stone
Age foragers.