Abstract:
We report on the fauna from the sites of Xaro 1 and Xaro 2 located on the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana.
Carbon isotopes from two human graves at Xaro Lodge located approximately 500 m south of Xaro 1 suggest an
economy oriented toward wild plants, fish and game similar to that of the modern baNoka, or ‘River Bushmen’. The
faunal remains from Xaro 1 and 2 corroborate this suggestion.Pottery from the Early Iron Age, radiocarbon dates from
the Later Iron Age, and glass beads from the European trade indicate there were two occupations at both sites, one
belonging to the 18th and 19th centuries and an earlier one containing ceramics consistent with a first millennium
AD date. The fauna from both occupations is dominated by fish and Chelonia (likely tortoise or terrapin). The people
also hunted a variety of game animals, most of which are associated with aquatic conditions. Sheep remains were
recovered from the later occupation of Xaro 1.
