Archaeological study of ostrich eggshell beads collected from SDG site

Abstract

Ostrich eggshell beads and fragments collected from SDG site reflect primordial art and a kind of symbolic behavior of modern humans. Based on stratigraphic data and OSL dating, these ostrich eggshell beads are probably in Early Holocene ( 10 ka BP). Two different prehistoric manufacturing pathways are usually used in the manufacture of ostrich eggshell beads in Upper Paleolithic. According to statistic analysis of the characteristics of ostrich eggshell beads, Pathway 1 is identified from these collections. In pathway 1, blanks are drilled prior to being trimmed to rough discs. They exhibit great potential for the study of the origin of primordial art and the development of ancient cultures and provide important data for studying behavioral options adopted by hominids in SDG area. In addition, they bear important implications for the origin of modern humans in East Asia. SDG site, ostrich eggshell beads, experiments, primordial art, HoloceneIt has been commonly accepted that appearance of primordial art means that abstract thinking is conceptualized, changing the structure of thinking activity to real concept [1] . Diversified development of abstract thinking creativity makes the formalization of applied tools slip the leash of function attribute, and produces many cultural carriers of prehistoric aesthetic consciousness, including ornament, engraving, carving, sculpturing, painting, and drawing, is an unique human behavior and is closely associated with modern human's physical evolution and cognitional development. The discovery of shell beads (82 ka BP) from the Grotte des Pigeons site in North Africa [2] and red ochre pieces (77 ka BP) with geometric engravings in from the Blombos Cave site in South Africa [3] , has been taken as archaeological evidence of the oldest human artistic activity and the earliest record of modern human behavior. Nowadays, the issue of primordial art origins, especially in East Asia, is currently a hot research topic in academic world. Paleolithic archaeologists are eagerly searching for new material and dating evidence to solve this research question.

The development of Upper Palaeolithic China: new results from the Shuidonggou site

“…While the use of ostrich (Struthio sp.) for food is unclear, a handful of ostrich eggshell beads (Struthio andersoni, from analysis on the collections from the surface) (Wang et al 2009) were recovered. All beads come from CL2, as does one bone needle fragment.…”

Modern human behaviors during the late stage of the MIS3 and the broad spectrum revolution: Evidence from a Shuidonggou Late Paleolithic site

“…This phenomenon has not been documented in the Lower Paleolithic or most Middle Paleolithic sites. Body decoration has been considered an activity that transmits self-awareness, and a mark of individual status and community [10,26]. Also, the beads in SDG Loc.…”

“…Thus, we do not elaborate on the site information in this paper. Dating results suggest that anthropogenic layers were deposited during 30-20 ka BP [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30], which belong to the later stage of the MIS3. In terms of the site's stratigraphic profile, level 4 comprises yellow sand, with stone artifacts, animal bones and ash.…”

An often overlooked resource: Ostrich (Struthio spp.) eggshell in the archaeological record

“…Beads are perhaps the best known OES artifacts. They are ubiquitous throughout many regions of Africa and Asia during the Terminal Pleistocene and the Holocene (Mellars et al 2013;Miller 2012;Miller and Willoughby 2014;Wang et al 2009). They begin appearing in eastern Africa after 50,000 years ago or so (Ambrose 1998;Miller and Willoughby 2014), although a more extensive dating program, including direct dating, is needed to assess their antiquity in southern Africa (Steele et al 2016;Villa et al 2012).…”

“…The size and robustness of ostrich eggs made them an important resource for humans, providing both food and a durable technological material. Ostrich eggshell (OES) is commonly present in archaeological assemblages throughout these regions, likely as a result of both the nutritional value and technological utility associated with ostrich eggs (Blinkhorn et al 2015;Janz et al 2009;Kurochkin et al 2010;McBrearty and Brooks 2000;Mitchell 1996;Wadley 1993;Wang et al 2009). The ubiquity of OES in archaeological assemblages suggests that the eggs, and their shells, were likely important resources for past peoples, and therefore fragments of OES should provide valuable data for reconstructing many past human subsistence practices, technological diversity, and potentially symbolic systems and social networks.…”