Geochemical Insights on Earth Mineral Pigment Provisioning and Use in Stone Age Eswatini

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Recent Advances in Material Sourcing and Provenience Studies in Africa" session, at the 88th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

We present results of a multi-method, regional-scale iron and manganese-oxide provenance study centered on five Middle and Late Stone Age sites and raw material sources in Eswatini. Earth mineral pigment artifacts are abundant at MSA and LSA sites and the variation observed in their typologies shows changes over time in mineral selection. Eswatini is home to several iron and manganese ore deposits that produce high quality, vibrant red, purple, and black pigments. Those sources, such as Ngwenya (Lion Cavern), were sites of mineral collection at least 40,000 kya, if not earlier. We synthesize data from trace element analysis (NAA, LA-ICP-MS) and mineral and structural characterization (XRD, SEM-EDS), applying the methods to artifacts and geologic materials, as well as new insights into rock art. Our results provide insight into the potential for mineral provisioning as a proxy for changes in mobility, land-use patterns, and artistic and mineral preferences during the MSA and LSA.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 88th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR (2023)   •
• Recent Advances in Material Sourcing and Provenience Studies in Africa

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 37310.0