Middle Stone Age (Temporal Keyword)
1-17 (17 Records)
The artifact analysis data set for the Boomplaas Cave (BPA) mineral pigment assemblage. The first page (BPA Data Notes) provides information on the coding fields, while the second page (BPA Data) provides the complete data set.
Erb Tanks Master Lithic Database (2015)
This database stores provenience and metric data for lithic artifacts excavated from 2009-2012 at Erb Tanks Rockshelter, a Middle and Later Stone Age site from the Central Namib Desert, Namibia. In addition, trace element data derived from pXRF analysis of lithic artifacts as well as several lithic raw material sources are included in the database. Coordinates for lithic raw material sources are provided in decimal degree format. Coordinates for Erb Tanks Rockshelter are redacted for the site's...
Fauna from Mumba - ageing data (limb epiphyseal fusion)
Limb epiphysis fusion states of possible domesticates at Mumba, following Silver (1969). J = juvenile; J/A = juvenile or young adult; J/A+ = juvenile or adult or older; Indet. = indeterminate
Fauna from Mumba - ageing data (teeth)
Teeth of domesticates or possible domesticates that could be aged at Mumba, following Grant (1982). LM = lower molar; LP = lower premolar; UM = upper premolar; M = molar
Fauna from Mumba - survivorship data
Survivorship (%MNE) for elements at Mumba Rockshelter Small mammal expected MNE (xMNE) values based on the following MNI for each level: Level II-1: 6 small bovids, 1 carnivore/primate, 1 suid (total MNI = 8) Levels III-1/2: 9 small bovids, 3 suids, 7 carnivores/primates, 1 aardvark (total MNI = 20) Level III-3: 7 small bovids, 2 suids, 3 carnivores/primates (total MNI = 12) Large mammal expected MNE (xMNE) values based on the following MNI for each level: Level II-1: 3 large bovids, 1...
Fauna from Mumba Rockshelter, Unit 5, Separated by Level
Fauna from Mumba Rockshelter, Unit 5, Separated by Level
Fauna from Mumba Rockshelter, Unit 8, Separated by Level
Fauna from Mumba Rockshelter, Unit 8, Separated by Level
Kansyore ceramics from Mumba Rockshelter
Kansyore ceramics recovered from Mumba in the 2005 (a-d) and 1981 (e-f) field seasons. All photographs by M. Prendergast. Scale bars = 2 cm.
Knysna Eastern Heads 1 Mineral Pigment Artifact Analysis Data (2018)
The artifact analysis data set for the Knysna Eastern Heads 1 (KEH1) mineral pigment assemblage. The first page (KEH1 Data Notes) provides information on the coding fields, while the second page (KEH1 Data) provides the complete data set.
Mumba Rockshelter (Tanzania) re-excavation
Mumba Rockshelter is located in Mang'ola Basin, at ca. 1046 m asl, about 2.3 km from the current shore of Lake Eyasi (which is dry most of the year). It is found in a series of inselbergs (containing several other shelters) called the Laghang-Ishimijega hills, running parallel to the lake. The shelter contains rock paintings documented by L. Kohl-Larsen (1943). It was excavated in 1934-36 and a very large "test" excavation was led by M. Kohl-Larsen in 1938 (L. Kohl-Larsen 1943, Müller-Beck...
Mumba Rockshelter stratigraphy
Revised Mumba stratigraphy after 2005 excavations. Plan (upper left) shows excavation units, which are shaded in the profile drawing. Upper right diagram shows correlation between our revised geological units and Mehlman’s Beds I-VI. Drawing by L. Luque of the Teruel Paleontological Foundation, Spain (Prendergast et al. 2007: Figure 7).
Ochre Use in Middle Stone Age East and Central Africa
Symbolism, including language, is widely viewed as an essential element of modern human behavior. Documenting the evolutionary origins of such behavior, however, has proven difficult. Ochre pigments (iron oxides) form a major part of the evidence used to interpret when humans began communicating through symbols. Excavations at Olorgesailie, Kenya; Karonga, Malawi; and Twin Rivers, Zambia have yielded ochre artifacts that may indicate very early occurrences of symbolism. Yet mineral pigments may...
Photograph of Mumba Rockshelter
View of Mumba Rockshelter from the northwest (photograph by M. Prendergast). Note total station and person at right side for scale.
Photograph of Mumba Rockshelter from above
View of Mumba Rockshelter from above, with excavation units indicated. Photograph by M. Prendergast.
Plan of Mumba Rockshelter, 2005-6 excavations
Plan of Mumba Rockshelter, showing Kohl-Larsen excavation area (center) and dump (left), and Mehlman’s trenches (I-IV) and Prendergast et al.'s trenches (5-8). Adapted by M. Prendergast from the original plan drawn by Mehlman (1989:Figure 4.2). Tr. = Trench/Unit
PP5-6 Mineral Pigment Artifact Analysis Data (2018)
The artifact analysis data set for the PP5-6 mineral pigment assemblage. The first page (PP5-6 Data Notes) provides information on the coding fields, while the second page (PP5-6 Data) provides the complete data set.
Radiometric dates from Mumba Rockshelter
Includes dates from Mehlman (1989) and Prendergast et al (2007; Prendergast 2008) excavations. Does not include dates currently in progress by Gliganic, Jacobs and Roberts.