Evidence of early fire? Spatial patterning and stratigraphic anomalies at FxJj20Main-Extension-0

Summary

Recent reviews have identified the control of fire as a important innovation in the history of human adaptation. The FxJj20 Main-Extension-0 locality, an oxidized sediment feature, may be associated with hominin-controlled fire. This locality was recovered from sediments in the Okote Member, of the Koobi Fora Formation, Kenya. Radiometric age estimates on associated tephra indicate that the locality is likely 1.5-1.64 Ma. This locality is associated with multiple sedimentary anomalies that were excavated in the 1970's (at the nearby FxJj20Main/East localities). These features have previously been described as indicative of combustion. Most recently, excavations recovered a similar feature at FxJj 20 Main-Extension-0 using innovative methods. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the excavation were developed in combination with micro-morphological analysis, thermoluminescence analysis, and the identification of "thermal curved-fractures" that indicate the exposure of artifacts to high temperatures. Initial analyses of spatial associations suggest hominins may have had an influence on these combustion features. particularly, we investigate the spatial relationship of potentially fired sediment and other indications of combustion. Further analysis of thermoluminescence, micromorphology, and petrographic analysis of sediments and potentially heat fractured stone may clarify the role of hominins in the control of fire in the Koobi Fora Fm. over 1.5 mya.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage