Beads, Ochre, and Eggs: the Interaction Patterns of Middle Stone Age Symbolism: An analysis on interaction patterns in the symbolic behaviour by Homo sapiens in the Middle Stone Age of South Africa

The Middle Stone Age (MSA) of Africa has been covered intensively in academic research due to its findings of the oldest Homo sapiens remains and the earliest evidence of symbolic behaviour. However, how symbolism spread across Africa remains elusive. Research conducted by Mackay et al. (2014) on the MSA lithic assemblages of southernmost Africa attempted to find interaction patterns throughout the MSA. By looking for similarities and differences between lithic systems, they concluded that there were periods of increased interaction leading to homogeneity in the lithic systems and periods of fragmentation, having increased variability indicating fewer interactions across populations. Taking these results based on lithics, the research in this thesis will look for similar evidence in symbolic assemblages. Using symbolic assemblages of MSA sites in South Africa, the analysis will try and answer whether population interaction had a significant role in the intensity of symbolic...Show moreThe Middle Stone Age (MSA) of Africa has been covered intensively in academic research due to its findings of the oldest Homo sapiens remains and the earliest evidence of symbolic behaviour. However, how symbolism spread across Africa remains elusive. Research conducted by Mackay et al. (2014) on the MSA lithic assemblages of southernmost Africa attempted to find interaction patterns throughout the MSA. By looking for similarities and differences between lithic systems, they concluded that there were periods of increased interaction leading to homogeneity in the lithic systems and periods of fragmentation, having increased variability indicating fewer interactions across populations. Taking these results based on lithics, the research in this thesis will look for similar evidence in symbolic assemblages. Using symbolic assemblages of MSA sites in South Africa, the analysis will try and answer whether population interaction had a significant role in the intensity of symbolic behaviour. The six sites used are Blombos Cave, Diepkloof Rock Shelter, Klein Kliphuis, Klasies River Main, Klipdrift Shelter, and Sibudu Cave. Through literature research, the number of symbolic artefacts per site was collected and synthesized into a database. These symbolic artefacts are; ochre, engraved ochre, marine shell beads, and engraved ostrich eggshells. The database was then divided into the artefacts related to MIS 5, MIS 4, and MIS 3, which made it easier to compare the symbolic analysis with the lithic analysis by Mackay et al. (2014). The comparison concludes that there is increased intensity of symbolic behaviour in periods of coalescence. However, there remain instances of differences which should not be ignored. The limited number of MSA symbolic artefacts means that conclusions are made on fewer data points than conclusions based on the lithic archaeological record. Further research on symbolic behaviour within South Africa should help clear up the uncertainties regarding the spread of symbolic behaviour and interaction between MSA sites.Show less

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Beads, Ochre, and Eggs: the Interaction Patterns of Middle Stone Age Symbolism: An analysis on interaction patterns in the symbolic behaviour by Homo sapiens in the Middle Stone Age of South Africa