Preliminary report on excavations at Sibudu Cave, KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Preliminary research at Sibudu shows that the cave contains a palimpsest of Middle Stone Age layers. The upper layers are dated by radiocarbon to between 42 000 and 26 000 b.p.; the deeper layers have been sampled for luminescence dates, but results are not yet available. Bone, charcoal and burnt seeds are well preserved in all layers excavated thus far. Stone tools are abundant in all except the deepest layers of the present excavation. Unifacial and bifacial points are the most common retouched tools, but scrapers, knives and adzes are also present.

To cite this paper: Wadley, L. 2001. Preliminary report on excavations at Sibudu Cave, KwaZulu-Natal. Southern African Humanities 13: 1-17.