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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Ochre for the toolmaker: shaping the Still Bay points at Sibudu (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)
Authors:Soriano, SylvainISNI
Villa, Paola
Wadley, LynISNI
Year:2009
Periodical:Journal of African Archaeology
Volume:7
Issue:1
Pages:41-54
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:archaeological artefacts
tools
Stone Age
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/43135467
Abstract:During a study of the Still Bay industry at Sibudu (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa), the authors observed ochre deposits on the platforms of flakes associated with the production of bifacial points, which are highly characteristic of this industry. The authors discuss several hypotheses to explain this phenomenon, implicating either an intentional or unintentional anthropogenic origin, or a natural origin. These considerations are based on the characteristics of the ochre deposits (appearance, position and distribution), the technical features of the lithic artifacts on which they are observed and the sedimentary and archaeological context in which they were found. All of these elements converge to demonstrate that the ochre was indirectly deposited on the flake platforms through the use of iron oxide nodules as knapping tools for the manufacture of bifacial points. The significance of this behaviour is discussed in light of increasingly frequent discoveries of ochre or other mineral materials with equivalent properties in the context of the Middle Stone Age in South Africa. Bibliogr., note, ref., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract]
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