Two methods on one stone: Integrating visual and analytical techniques to clarify lithic raw material utilization in the Middle and Later Stone Age at Umhlatuzana rockshelter (South Africa)

Sifogeorgaki, Irini; Schmid, Viola; Os, Bertil van; Fratta, Vi; Huisman, Hans; Dusseldorp, Gerrit L.

doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2023.103890

Cited by 2 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…The groundmass of this facies is expected to be reworked, but unlike facies SDb that is clearly reworked through biogenic activities, Sda could be affected also by geogenic and anthropogenic processes. The granular and relatively homogeneous character of the groundmass is similar to that of other South African rockshelters such as Sibhudu Cave (Goldberg et al, 2009), Elands Bay Cave (Miller et al, 2016) and Umbeli Belli (Bader et al, 2016, 2018; Sifogeorgaki et al, 2023). The absence of distinctive occupational layers or well‐defined features is common in sandstone rockshelter deposits with poor preservation conditions (Cosgrove, 1995; Lowe et al, 2018; Martínez et al, 2013; Parenti et al, 2018; Ward et al, 2006).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

“…Evidence for vashegyite crusts is also visible in portable X‐ray fluorescence (p‐XRF) analysis of Umhlatuzana lithics (Sifogeorgaki et al, 2023). Most of the lithics excavated in the high moisture sediments demonstrate a cemented crust of phosphatic minerals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The newly excavated western profile was documented in detail and sampled for various analyses. Geoarchaeological and paleoenvironmental results were presented by Sifogeorgaki et al (2020), Reidsma et al (2021) and Sifogeorgaki and Dusseldorp (2022), while a study of raw material categories was published by Sifogeorgaki et al (2023).…”

Section: Research Historymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is characterised by cryptocrystalline and chalcedonic silica cement. More information on the petrographic and geochemical characteristics as well as the distribution of the rock fragments can be found in Sifogeorgaki et al (2023) Organic silt and humified organic matter…”

Section: Components Of Umhlatuzana Micromorphological Thin Sections C...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The current study builds upon the recent stratigraphic and geoarchaeological studies (Reidsma et al, 2021; Sifogeorgaki, 2020, Sifogeorgaki et al, 2023; Sifogeorgaki & Dusseldorp, 2022), to provide a holistic assessment of the different formation processes that affected the sequence over the last 70,000 years. Specifically, we aim to address the following questions: …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sand, hearths, lithics and a bit of bioturbation: Site formation processes at Umhlatuzana rockshelter, South Africa

Sifogeorgaki,

Huisman,

Karkanas

et al. 2023

Geoarchaeology

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Umhlatuzana rockshelter is known for its continuous record of Middle and Later Stone Age lithic assemblages. This study presents multiproxy geoarchaeological data (micromorphology, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy) to reconstruct the depositional and post‐depositional history of the site. Although the Stone Age deposits macroscopically appear homogeneous, micromorphological analysis reveals the existence of primary, unaltered depositional microlayering throughout the sequence. Sediments related to combustion activities on‐site are observed in both the Holocene and Pleistocene deposits. Post‐depositional geochemical alterations result in the formation of several phosphatic minerals that significantly affect the site's preservation conditions. One of those is vashegyite, a rare magnesium phosphate mineral related to acidic and moist sedimentary environments. Bioturbation features are prominent at the microscale, but sediment mixing does not seem to affect the vertical distribution of the artifacts. The observation of horizontal microlayering in both the Pleistocene and Holocene illuminates the dominant mechanism of sedimentation throughout the site's 70,000‐year occupational history. It moreover shows that the lithics can be analysed as coherent assemblages.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Research Historymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Components Of Umhlatuzana Micromorphological Thin Sections C...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sand, hearths, lithics and a bit of bioturbation: Site formation processes at Umhlatuzana rockshelter, South Africa

Sifogeorgaki,

Huisman,

Karkanas

et al. 2023

Geoarchaeology

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The Jojosi Dongas: An interdisciplinary project to study the evolution of human behaviour and landscapes in open-air contexts

Will,

Blessing,

Möller

et al. 2024

safa

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Hunter-gatherer groups conduct most of their activities in open landscapes as they provide drinking water, food, and raw materials, and offer spaces for social gatherings. The remains left behind at such sites allow for unique archaeological insights into the spatial patterning of prehistoric behaviour. The Stone Age record in southern Africa remains best-known from sheltered sites. A paucity of stratified open-air localities precludes understanding the full spectrum of past hominin activities. Here we introduce an interdisciplinary project in KwaZulu-Natal to study the evolution of human behaviour and landscape dynamics during the Pleistocene in the open-air context of a stratified hillslope with sediments exposed in so-called dongas, a landform created by gully erosion. The project encompasses field and laboratory approaches, combining archaeological, geographical, geological, chronometric, and palaeoenvironmental data. After reviewing relevant open-air research in archaeology and geography, we identify the Jojosi Dongas as a promising research area. Our fieldwork results from 2022-2023 demonstrate the high archaeological, geographical, and geological potential of this landscape. Foot surveys found abundant MSA artefacts spread throughout the dongas, one area with ESA tools, but little to no traces of LSA or later material. Most finds lie on the surface with rarer stratified material occurring in exposed profiles. The surface MSA material is characterised by almost exclusive hornfels use, frequent cortical pieces, many large blanks and cores, and rare retouched tools. These features differ markedly from lithic trends observed in well-known shelter sites, likely the result of differences in site function. Based on the nature of the surface assemblages and the presence of a large outcrop of high-quality hornfels, we hypothesise that the Jojosi Dongas may have been a specialised quarry and workshop area. The stratified MSA occupations are the focus of ongoing excavations and further studies will aim to test our preliminary interpretations provided here.

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Two methods on one stone: Integrating visual and analytical techniques to clarify lithic raw material utilization in the Middle and Later Stone Age at Umhlatuzana rockshelter (South Africa)

Cited by 2 publications

References 44 publications

Sand, hearths, lithics and a bit of bioturbation: Site formation processes at Umhlatuzana rockshelter, South Africa

Sand, hearths, lithics and a bit of bioturbation: Site formation processes at Umhlatuzana rockshelter, South Africa

The Jojosi Dongas: An interdisciplinary project to study the evolution of human behaviour and landscapes in open-air contexts

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