New light on Middle Pleistocene west coast environments from Elandsfontein, Western Cape Province, South Africa

Faunal evidence from Elandsfontein strongly suggests that a grassy, 'bushve ld' type environment existed during the Middle to Late Pleistocene. Such an environment implies a climate with a warm (summer) growing season, almost always associated with C-4 grasses. This stands in contrast to the present regional climate, which is dominated by winter rainfall and C-3 fynbos vege tation. Stable carbon isotope ratio analysis of faunal tooth enamel from El andsfontein shows that most animals consumed entirely C-3 diets, although s mall proportions of C-4 plants are reflected in a few grazing species. Dist inctions in oxygen isotope ratios between species are tentatively interpret ed as relating to differences in drinking habits. The results indicate cool growing seasons and persistence of a winter rainfall regime. The high gras sy component, unusual in this region, was caused by other factors, possibly a more prolonged rainfall season.