4.1 Phase I: Lower Depths (GC1: 272-202 cm, GC2: 266-202 cm, GC3: 260-202 cm)
The lower depths record lower sedimentation of intercalated fine to medium sand (GC1 = 9.8cm/kyr; GC2 = 13.9cm/kyr; GC3 = 13.1 cm/kyr), high abundances of hinterland components (e.g., ~40-41% Savannah grass pollen – Poaceae, 30% Cyperaceae (Fluvial and Freshwater indicator), 19-21% charred grass cuticles, ~43% afromontane taxon – Podocarpus ), ~18-19% freshwater algae – Pediastrum , high Ti/Zr ratio (Table 1). In addition, low abundances of planktonic foraminifera Globorotaliaspp. (~18-20%) and mangrove pollen (Rhizophora21%, Avicenniaceae ~13%), and low Fe/S ratio (~10-15 mg-1/ppm) are also recorded at these depths (Figures 3-5). Thus, hinterland indicators increased relative to mangrove/littoral proxies.