Nimir Cave: Morphology and fauna of a cave in the Egyptian Eastern Desert

An analysis of animal bones recovered from the surface deposits of a cave in the northern Eastern Desert of Egypt indicates that between approximately 8880 and 3680 bp the area had a radically different ecology than at present. Patches of grasses and/or reed-beds occured near water sources or in drainages, and relatively dense groves of acacia probably occurred in the area. Animals identified from the cave remains and nearby sites that provide insight about this ecological shift include hyrax {Procavia capensis), leopard (Panthera pardiis), genet (Genettagenetta),F\owefs shrew (Crocidurefloweri), and dabb lizard (Uromas-tyx ocellatus). Nubian ibex (Capra ibex) were also recovered from the site, as well as other taxa of reptiles, birds, and mammals that still occur in the general region. During prehistoric times the change is toward increasing aridity, which gives insight into the ecological pressures and their effects on the local human inhabitants of the area.