Palynology and palaeo-environment of Pleistocene hyaena coprolites from anopen-air site at Oyster Bay, Eastern Cape coast, South Africa

Hyaena coprolites in a soil horizon at Oyster Bay, Eastern Cape coast, Sout h Africa, were found associated with abundant, early Last Glacial vertebrat e faunal remains that were apparently accumulated by brown hyaenas and preh istoric humans. Artefacts of the Howieson's Poort sub-stage of the Middle S tone Age occur in the same soil. Although direct association between the di fferent finds cannot be demonstrated, there is evidence to suggest that the y are broadly contemporaneous. Pollen assemblages in the coprolites were do minated by Myrica and, to a lesser extent, Stoebe-Elytropappus type and Poa ceae. Comparison with the modern pollen spectrum suggests that the past env ironment differed markedly from the current. The presence of Stoebe-Elytrop appus, in particular, is considered to indicate a displacement of vegetatio n zones to lower altitudes. Both fossil pollen and fauna suggest a landscap e with a complex mosaic of vegetation indicative of overall cooler, more in land conditions than today.