Using morphometrics to reappraise old collections: The study case of the Congo Basin Middle Stone Age bifacial industry

Despite its strategic location within the continent, Central Africa is rarely integrated into the reconstruction of population dynamics during the Middle Stone Age (MSA) of Africa, especially in terms of the emergence, diffusion and behavioural patterns of Homo sapiens. However, hundreds of sites have been discovered in Central Africa during the 20th century and attributed to the Lupemban, one of the main MSA technological complexes of the region. This complex is mainly characterised by typological criteria based on the numerous bifacial pieces found in the Congo Basin and interpreted as an adaption to the rainforest environment. Most of these Lupemban assemblages have not been studied for decades and thus it is particularly difficult to assess their diversity. This paper presents a detailed combined morphometrical approach (linear measurements and indices, Log Shape Ratio, Elliptic Fourier Analysis) to take a fresh and rigorous look at the Lupemban bifacial tools. We discuss the comparison of different morphometrical approaches to deal with “old” collections for which contexts, particularly chronological ones, are partially missing. We present the results of this approach on three assemblages of bifacial pieces gathered in the 1930s and late 1960s. We quantify their variability and discuss not only their homogeneity but also the variation of a Lupemban hallmark, namely the “Lupemban point”

Terminal Pleistocene lithic variability in the Western Negev (Israel): Is there any evidence for contacts with the Nile Valley?

At the end of the Pleistocene (25,000-15,000 BP), there is a shift to more arid conditions in the Negev and the Sinai corresponding to the Last Glacial Maximum. For the Nile Valley and the Levant, the lowering of the Mediterranean sea level, the expansion of the Sahara and the desiccation of some major eastern African lakes had important consequences on: (1) the general behaviour of the River Nile; (2) the landscape around the Nile Delta; and (3) sand dune mobilisation. Despite this shift to more arid conditions, there is abundant evidence for human occupation in the Egyptian Nile Valley and in the arid zone of the Southern Levant at this time. In addition, contacts between these two regions have sometimes been suggested, mainly by genetic studies, including early ‘Back-to-Africa’ dispersals. This paper focuses on the analysis of six terminal Pleistocene (ca. 25,000-15,000 BP) lithic assemblages from the western Negev Desert dunes in Israel, attributed to the Early and Middle Epipalaeolithic. The analysis relies on the chaîne opératoire approach combined with attribute analysis that enables quantification of typo-technological differences. Results of this analysis allow comparisons with assemblages from the Egyptian Nile Valley analysed in the same way previously. This comparative analysis is then used to discuss hypotheses of potential technical diffusions between these two regions. Current archaeological evidence therefore does not support any contacts between populations between the Levant and the Nile Valley at the end of the Pleistocene

Comparative analysis of Middle Stone Age artifacts in Africa (CoMSAfrica).

Spatial and temporal variation among African Middle Stone Age (MSA) archeological assemblages provide essential cultural and behavioral data for understanding the origin, evolution, diversification, and dispersal of Homo sapiens—and, possibly, interactions with other hominin taxa. However, incorporating archeological data into a robust framework suited to replicable, quantitative analyses that can be integrated with observations drawn from studies of the human genome, hominin morphology, and paleoenvironmental contexts requires the development of a unified comparative approach and shared units of analysis. The CoMSAfrica workshop presented here, has the ambition to build bridges between researchers and research regions in Africa on these paramount topics

Across the Gap: Geochronological and Sedimentological Analyses from the Late Pleistocene-Holocene Sequence of Goda Buticha, Southeastern Ethiopia

Goda Buticha is a cave site near Dire Dawa in southeastern Ethiopia that contains an archaeological sequence sampling the late Pleistocene and Holocene of the region. The sedimentary sequence displays complex cultural, chronological and sedimentological histories that seem incongruent with one another. A first set of radiocarbon ages suggested a long sedimentological gap from the end of Marine Isotopic Stage (MIS) 3 to the mid-Holocene. Macroscopic observations suggest that the main sedimentological change does not coincide with the chronostratigraphic hiatus. The cultural sequence shows technological continuity with a late persistence of artifacts that are usually attributed to the Middle Stone Age into the younger parts of the stratigraphic sequence, yet become increasingly associated with lithic artifacts typically related to the Later Stone Age. While not a unique case, this combination of features is unusual in the Horn of Africa. In order to evaluate the possible implications of these observations, sedimentological analyses combined with optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) were conducted. The OSL data now extend the radiocarbon chronology up to 63 ± 7 ka; they also confirm the existence of the chronological gap between 24.8 ± 2.6 ka and 7.5 ± 0.3 ka. The sedimentological analyses suggest that the origin and mode of deposition were largely similar throughout the whole sequence, although the anthropic and faunal activities increased in the younger levels. Regional climatic records are used to support the sedimentological observations and interpretations. We discuss the implications of the sedimentological and dating analyses for understanding cultural processes in the region.This research benefited from funding of the National Geographic Society (http:// nationalgeographic.org/), grants # 8110-06 and 8510-08 (ZA), of the Wenner-Gren Foundation (http://www.wennergren.org/), grant # ICRG e 102, (ZA and DP), of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (http://new.huji.ac.il/en) (EH), of the French National Research Agency (http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr), projects # ANR-09- JCJC-0123-01 (CT), # ANR-14-CE31-0023-03, and # ANR-10-LABX-52, of the Regional Priority Program « Heritage, Resources, Governance » (HEREGO, coordinated by the Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement) (DP), the Doctoral School of the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris (France) and UMR CNRS 7194 (AL), the Smithsonian NMNH small grants, and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie SklodowskaCurie grant (https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/ horizon2020/en/h2020-section/marie-sklodowskacurie-actions), agreement #655459. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

La transition Middle Stone Age / Later Stone Age en Afrique de l'Est (Éthiopie)

Modern humans are first associated in East Africa with technical behaviours defined as theMiddle Stone Age (MSA). The lithic technology is mainly characterised by flake production, as well as pointand elongated flake production, by means of Levallois and/or Discoïd methods, or prismatic core technology.One of the most representative tools is the retouched point. During the second part of the Upper Pleistocene,the production of elongated blanks (blades and bladelets) through prismatic cores becomes dominant and isassociated with microliths. This is defined as the Later Stone Age (LSA). However, the review of the UpperPleistocene sites from East Africa presents a more complex situation. Many lithic assemblages from this regionshow a mix of MSA and LSA features, leading to questions about the nature of changes between the Middleand the Later Stone Ages.Within the context of this question, the comparative study takes place between the assemblages of the sitesof Porc-Epic and Goda Buticha, located in south-eastern Ethiopia. The typo-technological analysis of the lithicmaterial relies on diagnostic criteria that appear to change through time : 1) the production of elongated blanks,2) the manufacture of retouched points, and 3) the manufacture of microliths. This study highlights the presenceof technical elements shared by both Pleistocene and Holocene layers. These elements could be interpreted interms of technical continuity, with a very gradual MSA/LSA transition. This technological pattern raises thequestion of the relevance of the use of the terminology MSA and LSA for this region. These results are of greatimportance with reference to major questions that are central to this period, namely the climatic instability,marked by very arid phases (the “Big Dry”) and the “Out of Africa 3” event. The lithic analyses of these two sitesconstituteEn Afrique de l’Est, les Hommes modernes semblent d’abord associés à des comportementstechniques dits Middle Stone Age (MSA). La technologie lithique se caractérise par la production d’éclats, ainsique de supports pointus ou allongés, par des méthodes telles que le Levallois ou le Discoïde, ou encore parune gestion volumétrique du débitage (nucléus prismatiques). L’outil associé le plus représentatif est la pointeretouchée. Pendant la seconde partie du Pléistocène supérieur, la production de supports allongés (lames etlamelles) devient majoritaire, et est associée à des microlithes (Later Stone Age (LSA)). L’examen des sitesd’Afrique de l’Est datés de cette période montre cependant un tableau plus mitigé. Des assemblages présententdes caractères mixtes MSA/LSA. Ceci questionne la nature du changement entre le MSA et le LSA dans cetterégion.C’est dans ce contexte que se place l’étude comparative des sites de Porc-Epic et de Goda Buticha, dans leSud-Est éthiopien. L’analyse typo-technologique du matériel lithique s’appuie sur les critères-clés autour desquelssemble se cristalliser le changement ; il s’agit de la production de (1) supports allongés, (2) pointes retouchées et(3) microlithes. L’étude montre la présence d’éléments techniques communs aux niveaux pléistocènes et holocènespour les trois critères étudiés. Ces éléments ont pu être interprétés en termes de continuité technique, semblantdénoter une transition très graduelle du MSA vers le LSA. Ces résultats remettent en question la pertinencede l’emploi d’une telle terminologie pour cette région. Cette analyse permet d’aborder des questions majeuresliées à cette période, c’est-à-dire, l’instabilité climatique, marquée par des phases très arides (le Big Dry) et lesmigrations de l’Out of Africa 3. L’analyse du matériel lithique de ces deux sites constitue un réf

Event review: Using multivariate analyses to interpret lithic variability: Contributions and limitations

A selection of papers presented at the Special Session 8 ‘Using multivariate analyses to interpret lithic variability: Contributions and limitations’ held during the 2018 MetroArchaeo conference (22-24 October 2018, Cassino, Italy) is published in the Journal of Lithic Studies. Multivariate statistical analyses are increasingly used to discern patterns of variability in archaeological materials and help with their interpretation. Commonly used ones include Principal Component Analysis, Multiple Correspondence Analysis, Discriminant Analysis, Multiple Regression, General Linear Model, or Cluster Analysis, applied in various contexts of study: geometric morphometrics, spatial analysis or inter-assemblage comparisons

La transition Middle Stone Age / Later Stone Age en Afrique de l'Est (Éthiopie)

Modern humans are first associated in East Africa with technical behaviours defined as theMiddle Stone Age (MSA). The lithic technology is mainly characterised by flake production, as well as pointand elongated flake production, by means of Levallois and/or Discoïd methods, or prismatic core technology.One of the most representative tools is the retouched point. During the second part of the Upper Pleistocene,the production of elongated blanks (blades and bladelets) through prismatic cores becomes dominant and isassociated with microliths. This is defined as the Later Stone Age (LSA). However, the review of the UpperPleistocene sites from East Africa presents a more complex situation. Many lithic assemblages from this regionshow a mix of MSA and LSA features, leading to questions about the nature of changes between the Middleand the Later Stone Ages.Within the context of this question, the comparative study takes place between the assemblages of the sitesof Porc-Epic and Goda Buticha, located in south-eastern Ethiopia. The typo-technological analysis of the lithicmaterial relies on diagnostic criteria that appear to change through time : 1) the production of elongated blanks,2) the manufacture of retouched points, and 3) the manufacture of microliths. This study highlights the presenceof technical elements shared by both Pleistocene and Holocene layers. These elements could be interpreted interms of technical continuity, with a very gradual MSA/LSA transition. This technological pattern raises thequestion of the relevance of the use of the terminology MSA and LSA for this region. These results are of greatimportance with reference to major questions that are central to this period, namely the climatic instability,marked by very arid phases (the “Big Dry”) and the “Out of Africa 3” event. The lithic analyses of these two sitesconstituteEn Afrique de l’Est, les Hommes modernes semblent d’abord associés à des comportementstechniques dits Middle Stone Age (MSA). La technologie lithique se caractérise par la production d’éclats, ainsique de supports pointus ou allongés, par des méthodes telles que le Levallois ou le Discoïde, ou encore parune gestion volumétrique du débitage (nucléus prismatiques). L’outil associé le plus représentatif est la pointeretouchée. Pendant la seconde partie du Pléistocène supérieur, la production de supports allongés (lames etlamelles) devient majoritaire, et est associée à des microlithes (Later Stone Age (LSA)). L’examen des sitesd’Afrique de l’Est datés de cette période montre cependant un tableau plus mitigé. Des assemblages présententdes caractères mixtes MSA/LSA. Ceci questionne la nature du changement entre le MSA et le LSA dans cetterégion.C’est dans ce contexte que se place l’étude comparative des sites de Porc-Epic et de Goda Buticha, dans leSud-Est éthiopien. L’analyse typo-technologique du matériel lithique s’appuie sur les critères-clés autour desquelssemble se cristalliser le changement ; il s’agit de la production de (1) supports allongés, (2) pointes retouchées et(3) microlithes. L’étude montre la présence d’éléments techniques communs aux niveaux pléistocènes et holocènespour les trois critères étudiés. Ces éléments ont pu être interprétés en termes de continuité technique, semblantdénoter une transition très graduelle du MSA vers le LSA. Ces résultats remettent en question la pertinencede l’emploi d’une telle terminologie pour cette région. Cette analyse permet d’aborder des questions majeuresliées à cette période, c’est-à-dire, l’instabilité climatique, marquée par des phases très arides (le Big Dry) et lesmigrations de l’Out of Africa 3. L’analyse du matériel lithique de ces deux sites constitue un réf

Microliths in the Middle and Later Stone Age of eastern Africa: New data from Porc-Epic and Goda Buticha cave sites, Ethiopia

Microliths and microlithic industries are central to definitions of the Later Stone Age technologies. It is generally accepted that microliths are associated with a change to more complex hunting technologies and strategies. However, because there is evidence of microlith production in Middle Stone Age contexts, there are debates regarding the significance of the presence of microliths within an assemblage. This paper aims to analyse the microlithic component of Middle and Later Stone Age assemblages in the eastern Ethiopia region, by means of lithic assemblages from two major cave sites, Porc-Epic and Goda Buticha. This paper presents a short review of the different meanings of the term “microlith” and of the diversity of microlith-bearing assemblages in the Middle and Later Stone Age in sub-Saharan Africa. An analysis of the microliths is presented using a methodology which helps to distinguish intentionally produced versus accidentally produced microliths, from Porc-Epic and Goda Buticha assemblages. The results of this study indicate that no intentional microliths are present in Porc-Epic assemblages, in contrast with those recovered in the Goda Buticha assemblages. Interestingly, very few microliths are present in the Pleistocene Middle Stone Age levels; they are more numerous (but not overwhelmingly) in the Holocene Later Stone Age levels of these sites. These results contribute to the discussion of the role of microliths in the Middle and in the Later Stone Age in this particular region of eastern Ethiopia

E71K20 – elongated blanks and retouched tools.

<p>(a-g): elongated blanks; (h): distal truncation, (i): blade with an ogival retouched base, (j,k): backed blades, (l): perforator, (m,n): proximally retouched bladelets, (o-q): microburins, (o,p), distal, (q) proximal. Photos and drawings: Alice Leplongeon, taken courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum.</p

E71K20 – counts of lithic artefacts.

<p>E71K20 – counts of lithic artefacts.</p