Intertidal shellfish as a source of protein and energy for the Middle Stone Age inhabitants of the southwestern Cape and northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 438 ◽  
pp. 30-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine Kyriacou
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Middle Stone Age ◽  
Stone Age ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

scholarly journals Bedding, hearths, and site maintenance in the Middle Stone Age of Sibudu Cave, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Goldberg ◽  
Christopher E. Miller ◽  
Solveig Schiegl ◽  
Bertrand Ligouis ◽  
Francesco Berna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Middle Stone Age ◽  
Stone Age ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Sibudu Cave

Umbeli Belli Rock Shelter, a forgotten piece from the puzzle of the Middle Stone Age in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 608-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregor Donatus Bader ◽  
Charles Cable ◽  
Carol Lentfer ◽  
Nicholas John Conard
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Middle Stone Age ◽  
Stone Age ◽  
Rock Shelter ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

Ochre Use in the Middle Stone Age at Sibudu, South Africa: Grinding, Rubbing, Scoring and Engraving

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tammy Hodgskiss
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Middle Stone Age ◽  
Stone Age ◽  
Powder Production ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Still Bay

Many Middle Stone Age (MSA) sites have evidence of the regular collection and use of ochre. Sibudu (KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa) has a large MSA ochre assemblage of over 9000 pieces from layers dating between ~77 ka and ~38 ka. There are 682 pieces with signs of use. All usetraces were examined and activity categories were defined based on published ochre experiments. The most frequent markings on ochre pieces are grinding striations that are smoothed by subsequent rubbing. Grinding and rubbing also occur independently on many pieces. Scored pieces are rare, but are more common in the pre-Still Bay (~77 ka) industry than elsewhere in the sequence. Some scored pieces may represent deliberate engravings. Markings acquired during powder-production are most numerous in the assemblage. Powder was mostly produced from bright-red pieces, but scoring was mainly performed on brown-red pieces. Pieces with mica inclusions are not common, but were favoured for powder production. Ochre powder was used as an aggregate in hafting adhesives, but other possible applications are as paint or as a substance to aid hide tanning.

Cognitive Requirements for Ochre Use in the Middle Stone Age at Sibudu, South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tammy Hodgskiss
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Analogical Reasoning ◽  
Middle Stone Age ◽  
Stone Age ◽  
Attention Switching ◽  
Abstract Thought ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Mental Abilities

Ochre is found at many Middle Stone Age sites and its use is often associated with enhanced mental abilities and symbolism, but the links between the visible uses of ochre and cognition have not been clearly defined. By establishing the technology and processes involved in using ochre, one can determine the skill, knowledge and cognitive abilities required to execute those activities. This is done here by constructing thought-and-action and inferential cognitive sequences for the various ochre activities performed at Sibudu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Powder production alone is not an indicator of complex cognitive processes, although some planning, foresight and knowledge of materials is required. Some ochre powder was used in the creation of hafting adhesives which is a cognitively demanding process requiring attention-switching, response inhibition, analogical reasoning and abstract thought. The direct transfer of ochre powder from an ochre piece to a soft material through grinding and rubbing requires some complex thought and action procedures — analogical reasoning and the ability to multi-task and switch attention between activities. Scoring a piece of ochre with a sharp tool does not necessitate enhanced executive functioning. However, some engravings demonstrate intentionality and an awareness of space and symmetry that may imply abstract thought.

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