Ochre Resources, Behavioural Complexity and Regional Patterns in the Howiesons Poort
New Insights From Klasies River Main Site, South Africa
In: Journal of African ArchaeologySearch for other papers by Laure Dayet Bouillot in
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Abstract
The widespread use of ochre during Oxygen Isotope Stage 5 and 4 in South Africa has often been interpreted as reflecting complex behaviours amongst modern human populations. The Howiesons Poort is one of the most documented techno-complexes identified within this timeframe. It is associated with an intensification of a combination of innovative technical and symbolic behaviours. Despite the notable focus on ochre use, detailed analyses of Howiesons Poort assemblages in this respect are rare. New data on ochre exploitation from the Howiesons Poort of Klasies River main site are presented in this paper. We used non-destructive microscopic, colorimetric and chemical analyses (
Résumé
L’usage récurrent d’ocre rouge au cours des stades isotopiques 4 et 5 en Afrique du Sud a souvent été interprété comme un témoin de comportements complexes chez les populations d’Homme moderne. L’Howiesons Poort est l’un des technocomplexes associés à ce territoire et cette période parmi les mieux documentés. Malgré l’intérêt croissant porté aux vestiges d’ocre rouge dans ce contexte, l’analyse détaillée d’assemblages Howiesons Poort reste marginale. Nous présentons ici de nouvelles données sur l’exploitation de l’ocre rouge dans les niveaux Howiesons Poort de Klasies River main site. Les modalités de sélection et de transformation des matières premières ont été déterminées à partir de l’analyse technologique (marques de percussion, traces d’usure), colorimétrique, et physico-chimique (
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Ochre Resources, Behavioural Complexity and Regional Patterns in the Howiesons Poort
New Insights From Klasies River Main Site, South Africa
In: Journal of African ArchaeologySearch for other papers by Laure Dayet Bouillot in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Sarah Wurz in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Floréal Daniel in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
The widespread use of ochre during Oxygen Isotope Stage 5 and 4 in South Africa has often been interpreted as reflecting complex behaviours amongst modern human populations. The Howiesons Poort is one of the most documented techno-complexes identified within this timeframe. It is associated with an intensification of a combination of innovative technical and symbolic behaviours. Despite the notable focus on ochre use, detailed analyses of Howiesons Poort assemblages in this respect are rare. New data on ochre exploitation from the Howiesons Poort of Klasies River main site are presented in this paper. We used non-destructive microscopic, colorimetric and chemical analyses (
Résumé
L’usage récurrent d’ocre rouge au cours des stades isotopiques 4 et 5 en Afrique du Sud a souvent été interprété comme un témoin de comportements complexes chez les populations d’Homme moderne. L’Howiesons Poort est l’un des technocomplexes associés à ce territoire et cette période parmi les mieux documentés. Malgré l’intérêt croissant porté aux vestiges d’ocre rouge dans ce contexte, l’analyse détaillée d’assemblages Howiesons Poort reste marginale. Nous présentons ici de nouvelles données sur l’exploitation de l’ocre rouge dans les niveaux Howiesons Poort de Klasies River main site. Les modalités de sélection et de transformation des matières premières ont été déterminées à partir de l’analyse technologique (marques de percussion, traces d’usure), colorimétrique, et physico-chimique (
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 824 | 233 | 9 |
| Full Text Views | 258 | 19 | 4 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 126 | 18 | 2 |