Tree shade forms an important component of Mursi life today, but overhanging rock shelters have potentially been periodically inhabited over significant periods of time by both humans and other creatures, and the evidence from both provides important cultural and environmental information. In Mursiland a number of these have shown considerable promise for further detailed analysis.
In the vicinity of Dirikoro fossilised hyrax faecal middens have been analysed in a separate project by Graciela Gil-Romera. Producing radiocarbon dates spanning several thousand years, these have presented a detailed sequence of localised changes in vegetation and indicators of climatic variation.
Elsewhere, chipped stone debitage and pottery has been found, the latter of which (pictured left) is of a style and fabric that is as yet incomparable within the broader assemblages of the region. It may be that these are connected with Ari communities that previously occupied this part of what is today Mursi land.
Mursiland Heritage Project 