Lithic technology Middle Stone Age

2009 excavations @ diepkloof rock shelter

early blades have been documented far 550-500,000 years in kapthurin formation in kenya , kathu pan in south africa. backed pieces twin rivers , kalambo falls sites in zambia, dated @ sometime between 300 , 140,000 years, likewise indicate suite of new behaviors. high level of technical competence indicated c. 280 ka blades recovered kapthurin formation, kenya.

the stone tool technology in use during middle stone age shows mosaic of techniques. beginning approximately 300 kya, large cutting tools of achuelian gradually displaced levallois prepared core technologies, used neanderthals during european middle palaeolithic. msa progresses, highly varied technocomplexes become common throughout africa , include pointed artifacts, blades, retouched flakes, end , side scrapers, grinding stones, , bone tools. however, use of blades (associated upper palaeolithic in europe) seen @ many sites well. in africa, blades may have been used during transition stone age middle stone age onwards. finally, during later part of middle stone age, microlithic technologies aimed @ producing replaceable components of composite hafted tools seen @ least 70 ka @ sites such pinnacle point , diepkloof rock shelter in south africa.

artifact technology during middle stone age shows pattern of innovation followed disappearance. occurs technology such manufacture of shell beads, arrows , hide working tools including needles, , gluing technology. these pieces of evidence provide counterpoint classic out of africa scenario in increasing complexity accumulated during middle stone age. instead, has been argued such technological innovations appear, disappear , re-appear in way best fits scenario in historical contingencies , environmental rather cognitive changes seen main drivers .