AfricaBib 
bibliographic database
| Previous page | New search |
The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here
 Periodical article |
 Leiden University catalogue |
 WorldCat |
| Title: | The Middle Stone Age in East Africa and Modern Human Origins |
| Author: | Willoughby, Pamela R. |
| Year: | 1993 |
| Periodical: | African Archaeological Review |
| Volume: | 11 |
| Pages: | 3-20 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic term: | East Africa |
| Subjects: | archaeology Stone Age human evolution prehistory Anthropology and Archaeology Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) |
| External link: | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01118140 |
| Abstract: | There is a growing belief that sub-Saharan Africa is the region and the Middle Stone Age (MSA, the archaeological phase between 200,000 and 30,000 years ago which represents the beginnings of regional variation in technology and cultural adaptation) is the time in which anatomically modern humans first developed. This paper reviews the current arguments concerning the origin and dispersal of modern humans, and the importance of the MSA for the resolution of the problem. It pays attention to the so-called genetic or 'Mitochondrial Eve' model and the impact of environmental change on the creation of anatomically modern humans, and describes the results of a 1990 survey for MSA sites conducted in the Songwe River Valley (Rukwa Rift Valley, southwestern Tanzania). A total of 9609 stone artefacts were collected during the survey, almost two thirds of which has been assigned to the MSA. One notable feature is the variety of raw materials used for artefact production. While quartz is predominant in both the MSA and the mixed MSA/LSA (Lower Stone Age) sites, substantial numbers of chert and fine-grained quartzites and volcanics were also utilized. Bibliogr., sum. in English and French. |
