Humpata Plateau

The Humpata Plateau (Portuguese: Planalto da Humpata) is an elevated plateau and highlands region in southwest Angola,^[1] part of the larger Huíla Plateau.^[2] It has a semi-humid climate,^[3] and acts as an intermediate climactic region between the arid Namib Desert to the west and the wetter Kalahari Basin to the east.^[4] It is a potential water source for the city of Lubango through diversion of its groundwater.^[3]

Humpata Plateau Planalto da Humpata (Portuguese)
Plateau
Coordinates: 15.31667°S 13.46667°E / -15.31667; 13.46667
Location	South-central Angola
Elevation	2,300 metres (7,500 feet)

The region is the source of several fossil specimens^[5] dating from the Quaternary period.^[6] Some such specimens have been retrieved from breccias where animals became trapped in crevasses.^[7][8] Several living species of rodent are also known only from this plateau: Gerbilliscus cf. humpatensis, Graphiurus sp. indet. 1 and a unique taxonomic unit of Rhabdomys dilectus.^[9]

Fossils

Fossils of animals excavated from locations within Humpata Plateau include:

• †Pronolagus humpatensis^[10]
• †Theropithecus baringensis^[5][6]
• Pronolagus sp.^[7]
• Hystrix africaeaustralis^[7]
• Equus quagga^[7]
• Antidorcas marsupialis^[7]
• Soricidae sp.^[7]
• Murinae sp.^[7]
• Muridae sp.^[7]
• Bovidae sp.^[7][6]

Several taxa of diatom have also been identified in the region, and have been used as historic climate indicators.^[1][4]