Explaining the Howiesons Poort to post-Howiesons Poort transition: a review of demographic and foraging adaptation models

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Periodical article

Title:	Explaining the Howiesons Poort to post-Howiesons Poort transition: a review of demographic and foraging adaptation models
Author:	Dusseldorp, Gerrit L.
Year:	2014
Periodical:	Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa (ISSN 1945-5534)
Volume:	49
Issue:	3
Pages:	317-353
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	South Africa Southern Africa
Subjects:	archaeology Stone Age
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1080/0067270X.2014.937080
Abstract:	The Howiesons Poort technocomplex exhibits archaeological evidence for sophisticated, 'modern' behaviour. Indications of such behaviour are less conspicuous in Middle Stone Age deposits post-dating the Howiesons Poort. Different explanations for the apparent technological regression have been put forward. This paper reviews interpretations proposing that demographic developments and behavioural ecological adaptations across the transition from the Howiesons Poort to the post-Howiesons Poort caused changes in human behaviour. It suggests that the available evidence does not support dramatic demographic developments. A more parsimonious explanation involves the combined effects of changing resource availability and changing mobility strategies. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract]