Previous page | New search |
The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here
Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | The Archaeology of the Middle Pleistocene Deposits of Lake Eyasi, Tanzania |
Authors: | Domínguez-Rodrigo, Manuel Diez-Martin, Fernando Mabulla, Audax Luque, Luis Alcala, Luis Tarrino, Antonio Lopez-Saez, José Antonio Barba, Rebecca Bushozi, Pastory |
Year: | 2007 |
Periodical: | Journal of African Archaeology |
Volume: | 5 |
Issue: | 1 |
Pages: | 47-78 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Tanzania |
Subjects: | archaeological artefacts tools archaeology Stone Age human evolution Anthropology and Archaeology History and Exploration |
External link: | https://www.jstor.org/stable/43135420 |
Abstract: | Ongoing archaeological research near Lake Eyasi (Tanzania) has produced a wealth of information, including a new hominid fossil and several archaeological sites dating to the end of the Middle Pleistocene. One of the sites (WB9) has been excavated and has produced evidence of multiple processes in its formation, including evidence of functional associations of stone tools and faunal remains which are scarce for this time period. The stone tool industry is based on a core and flake industry, which is not very diagnostic and attributed to the Middle Stone Age (MSA). Earlier heavy-duty tools classified as Sangoan may derive from the underlying Eyasi Beds. The stratigraphic provenience of previous fossil hominids is unknown. Surface collections from the Eyasi lake, thus, comprise two different sets of stone tools and fossils, which can only be clearly differentiated in the field. This advises against the use of previously curated collections as a homogeneous sample. Earlier definitions of the Njarasa industry should be revised. This work presents results on the palaeoecology of the area and of its palaeontological and archaeological information, with special reference to the excavation of WB9, the most complete site discovered in the area so far. This contributes to the limited information available about site functionality and hominid subsistential behaviour in East Africa during the end of the Middle Pleistocene. A technological study from WB9 also shows the variability of stone tool traditions at this time. Bibliogr., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract] |