An analysis of lithic artefacts from the ~60 ka layers of Sibudu Cave

Abstract

Since 1998 detailed excavations have been conducted at Sibudu Cave over an area of 21 m². A trial trench of 2 m² has been excavated to a depth of nearly 3 m. Luminescence dating of the sediments from Sibudu Cave indicates that it was occupied for several relatively brief periods during the Middle Stone Age. One of these occupations occurred about 60 000 years ago. The lithic artefacts from this occupation appear to be the product of a variety of flaking strategies, including tool-maintenance. Retouched artefacts mainly fall within the categories of points and scrapers and display little standardization of form. Artefacts from layers immediately below this assemblage have been assigned to the Howiesons Poort Industry. A short-lived change in raw material preference appears to coincide roughly with the transition from Howiesons Poort to post-Howiesons Poort technology.

To cite this article: Cochrane, G. W. G. 2006. An analysis of lithic artefacts from the ~60 ka layers of Sibudu Cave. Southern African Humanities 18 (1): 69-88.