Origins of the Iberomaurusian in NW Africa: New AMS radiocarbon dating of the Middle and Later Stone Age deposits at Taforalt Cave, Morocco

Abstract

Recent genetic studies based on the distribution of mtDNA of haplogroup U6 have led to subtly different theories regarding the arrival of modern human populations in North Africa. One proposes that groups of the proto-U6 lineage spread from the Near East to North Africa around 40-45 ka (thousands of years ago), followed by some degree of regional continuity. Another envisages a westward human migration from the Near East, followed by further demographic expansion at ∼22 ka centred on the Maghreb and associated with a microlithic bladelet culture known as the Iberomaurusian. In evaluating these theories, we report on the results of new work on the Middle (MSA) and Later Stone (LSA) Age deposits at Taforalt Cave in Morocco. We present 54 AMS radiocarbon dates on bone and charcoals from a sequence of late MSA and LSA occupation levels of the cave. Using Bayesian modelling we show that an MSA non-Levallois flake industry was present until ∼24.5 ka Cal BP (calibrated years before present), followed by a gap in occupation and the subsequent appearance of an LSA Iberomaurusian industry from at least 21,160 Cal BP. The new dating offers fresh light on theories of continuity versus replacement of populations as presented by the genetic evidence. We examine the implications of these data for interpreting the first appearance of the LSA in the Maghreb and providing comparisons with other dated early blade and bladelet industries in North Africa.

Earliest evidence for caries and exploitation of starchy plant foods in Pleistocene hunter-gatherers from Morocco

“…Archaeological deposits document a marked intensification in the use of the cave during the Later Stone Age, with the rapid accumulation of thick ashy midden layers, known as the Grey Series, between 15,000 and 12,600 cal B.P. (8). The extreme dryness of the deposits has favored the preservation of organic material, including animal and human bone and charred plant remains.…”

Characterizing evulsion in the Later Stone Age Maghreb: Age, sex and effects on mastication

“…Recent re-dating of the two large Iberomaurusian assemblages from Afalou (dating back to 13,120 CalBP (Hachi, 2006;Humphrey et al, 2012)) and Taforalt (ca. 15,000 to 12700 CalBP (Barton et al, 2013;Bouzouggar et al, 2008;Humphrey et al, 2014)), indicates that evulsion was widespread amongst these hunter-gatherers of Northwest Africa by at least 15,000 years ago. The evidence from Gobero would suggest the practice spread to the Sahara region by the early Holocene (9500 cal BP (Sereno et al, 2008;Stojanowski et al, 2014)).…”

“…12,000 CalBP (Barton et al, 2013;Bouzouggar et al, 2008) -has been recognised since the onset of archaeological excavations at Late Pleistocene site in the Maghreb (Balout, 1954;Briggs, 1955a). The earliest reported example of tooth evulsion is an isolated adult female skull from Taza, Eastern Algeria, from deposits dated between 16,100 and 13,800 BP (Medig et al, 1996;Meier et al, 2003).…”

Were Upper Pleistocene human/non-human predator occupations at the Témara caves (El Harhoura 2 and El Mnasra, Morocco) influenced by climate change?

“…The industry recorded at Taforalt dates to around 25 ka (OIS 3) and remains poorly defined (e.g., Barton et al, 2005Barton et al, , 2013Linst€ adter et al, 2012).…”

“…These lithic industries are rich in microlithic tools, primarily backed bladelets (e.g., Barton et al, 2005Barton et al, , 2007Barton et al, , 2013Bouzouggar et al, 2008;Linst€ adter et al, 2012;Sari, 2012Sari, , 2014. Humans from this period have a completely modern anatomy.…”