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. 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. 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.