While we tried to record chimpanzee behavior
directly, the population was unhabituated and difficult to observe. So we
used 50 meter wide belt
transects to record the distribution of nests and other traces of chimp
activity.
While we tried to record chimpanzee behavior
directly, the population was unhabituated and difficult to observe. So we
used 50 meter wide belt
transects to record the distribution of nests and other traces of chimp
activity.
These links connect to images of the cumulative patterns
of next and trace artifact evidence I found on the transects:
1989+1990 cumulative distribution of nests and other traces
Transect 6: forest cross section and residue pattern
Overall, the goal of my research is to use chimpanzee ranging patterns
and behavior as a guide to interpreting the landscape
archaeology and taphonomy of early archaeological sites.
We mapped the locations of any indirect evidence of chimpanzee activity,
including the leafwadges shown in this photo, and nest sites.
This picture illustrates a chimpanzee nest that is several weeks old. Chimpanzees
generally use their nests for only one night. After the nests are abandonned,
they dry out and slowly deteriorate. The stage of deterioration can be used
to estimate the relative ages of nests built in different species of tree.
Nests were often found grouped together.
A taphonomic study was also done sampling naturally occurring large mammal bones that occurred on the landscape surface in and adjacent to the forest.
Return to Jeanne Sept's personal HOME PAGE
Visit my Human Origins in Africa Home Page
Link to Jim Moore's African Ape Study sites for a great resource on chimpanzee, bonobo and gorilla research sites.
Link to M.K. Holder's Primate Field Sites for more information about the Ishasha site, and other primate sites in East Africa.
Last updated: 29 September 1998
URL: http://www.indiana.edu/~origins/research/Ishasha.html
Comments: sept@indiana.edu
Copyright 1995, 1996,
1997, 1998 Jeanne Sept
