Microliths in the South Asian rainforest ~45-4 ka: New insights from Fa-Hien Lena Cave, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Microliths–small, retouched, often-backed stone tools–are often interpreted to be the product of composite tools, including projectile weapons, and efficient hunting strategies by modern humans. In Europe and Africa these lithic toolkits are linked to hunting of medium- and large-sized game found in grassland or woodland settings, or as adaptations to risky environments during periods of climatic change. Here, we report on a recently excavated lithic assemblage from the Late Pleistocene cave site of Fa-Hien Lena in the tropical evergreen rainforest of Sri Lanka. Our analyses demonstrate that Fa-Hien Lena represents the earliest microlith assemblage in South Asia (c. 48,000–45,000 cal. years BP) in firm association with evidence for the procurement of small to medium size arboreal prey and rainforest plants. Moreover, our data highlight that the lithic technology of Fa-Hien Lena changed little over the long span of human occupation (c. 48,000–45,000 cal. years BP to c. 4,000 cal. years BP) indicating a successful, stable technological adaptation to the tropics. We argue that microlith assemblages were an important part of the environmental plasticity that enabled Homo sapiens to colonise and specialise in a diversity of ecological settings during its expansion within and beyond Africa. The proliferation of diverse microlithic technologies across Eurasia c. 48–45 ka was part of a flexible human ‘toolkit’ that assisted our species’ spread into all of the world’s environments, and the development of specialised technological and cultural approaches to novel ecological situations.

The Middle to Later Stone Age transition at Panga ya Saidi, in the tropical coastal forest of eastern Africa

“…In a review of miniaturized industries across the world, Pargeter and Shea (2019) found that systematic blade production is a common but not universal feature, with blades providing the advantage of a relatively long, straight cutting edge on a small tool. In both India and Sri Lanka for example, miniaturization is a key feature of assemblages in the last 50 ka, but only in the former is there systematic blade production (Clarkson et al, 2018b;Clarkson et al, 2020;Lewis et al, 2014;Mishra et al, 2013;Perera, 2010;Petraglia et al, 2009;Wedage et al, 2019;Wedage et al, 2020). The evidence from Panga ya Saidi supports this close, but decoupled relationship, with systematic blade production an early yet intermittent feature of the miniaturized LSA sequence.…”

Central Oregon obsidian from a submerged early Holocene archaeological site beneath Lake Huron

“…Alaska, it has been noted that recently deglaciated landscapes are productive new lands which were often exploited by small, highly mobile bands utilizing a miniaturized lithic technology with micro-blades [26][27][28][29][30][31]. While lithic miniaturization is a global phenomenon in the Early Holocene [32][33][34][35][36], the North American cases, including this new find from Lake Huron, seem particularly suited to the habitation of new lands exposed during glacial retreat. It is tempting to view the long-distance…”

Early Alpine occupation backdates westward human migration in Late Glacial Europe

“…In conclusion, the present results open a debate on the impact of demic diffusion on the very origin of the Late Epigravettian material culture and the mechanisms underlying patterns recorded before and after the onset of the Bølling/Allerød event. These include the later convergent emergence across Eurasia of a more flexible and responsive technology, and of schematic art 40 associated with change in demographic pressure, environmental challenges, and mobility [41][42][43] .…”