Cyanella hyacinthoides
Locality:
Name of observer:
David Gwynne-Evans (David)
Date observed:
28/11/2014 - 2:05pm
Collection:
A farm with an archaeological heritage that has one of the most enigmatic archaeological finds of South Africa. Multiple layers of black charcoal-like strata have been found together with human habitation in a cave, but it is unclear how they were made or what they are. The Max-Planck institute has been examining this and looking at phytoliths - ancient plant hairs and crystals that have survived in the sediment. As the name implies, there is guano in the caves that is caused by a sizeable colony of bats.