An improved chronology for the Middle Stone Age at El Mnasra cave, Morocco

Abstract

North African coastal Middle Stone Age (MSA) sites are key to study the development and expansion of early H. sapiens. El Mnasra cave on the Atlantic coast of Morocco (Témara region) is a crucial site associated with MSA archaeological materials considered advanced cognitive hallmarks of behavioural innovation, such as numerous Nassariidae perforated shells, hematite pigments, bones industry and coastal resources exploitation. We provide new trapped-charges dates (OSL and combined US-ESR ages). Our Bayesian modelling strengthens the new lithostratigraphic interpretation of the cave stratigraphic units (US) and we propose an updated chronostratigraphic model for the Middle Stone Age archaeo-sequence of El Mnasra Cave. We confirm a human presence between 124–104 ka, earlier than what the previous OSL and US-ESR data showed. Our time range intervals allowed us to also extend the age of the MSA occupations considerably to the MIS 4/3 (~62–30 ka), marked by the disappearance of the Nassariidae perforated shells. Outstandingly, our model pushed back the age of the largest record of Nassariidae perforated shells and placed the age of their use by the Aterian groups at El Mnasra from the MIS 5d-5b (~115–94 ka).

The spatiotemporal extent of the Green Sahara during the last glacial period

“… 53 yields some new insights ( Figure 3 B). Although with a slight decrease upward, intense occupations with abundant Aterian tools and evidence of marine shell use (Nassariidae) and consumption (Patellidae and Mytilidae), along with other interesting behavioral traits (e.g., pigment use, osseous industry), characterize the archaeological units US 8d-6 whose deposition time ranges from MIS5c to MIS4 (Ben Arous et al., 53 their Figure 8). Considering also the paleoenvironmental readings, these occupations have been tentatively ascribed to MIS5c (US 8d-a) and MIS5a (US7 and 6).…”

“… 25 However, recent timeline models of two extensively excavated sequences, viz. El Mnasra 53 and El Harhoura 2 54 caves, brought some nuances to this direct association. Based on Bayesian-model timelines, the revision of the archaeological sequence of El Mnasra recently carried out by Ben Arous et al.…”

“…Based on Bayesian-model timelines, the revision of the archaeological sequence of El Mnasra recently carried out by Ben Arous et al. 53 yields some new insights ( Figure 3 B). Although with a slight decrease upward, intense occupations with abundant Aterian tools and evidence of marine shell use (Nassariidae) and consumption (Patellidae and Mytilidae), along with other interesting behavioral traits (e.g., pigment use, osseous industry), characterize the archaeological units US 8d-6 whose deposition time ranges from MIS5c to MIS4 (Ben Arous et al., 53 their Figure 8).…”

“…Besides, phases of Aterian settlements between MIS5c and MIS5a in Témara region have been roughly reported from other sites, such as Dar es Soltane 1, 55 Contrebandiers, 56 and El Harhoura 2 25 While some sequences revealed evidence of low Aterian hunter-gatherer settlements dated to MIS4-3, viz. Dar es Soltane 1, 55 El Harhoura 2, 54 and El Mnasra, 53 taphonomic analyses of faunal remains highlighted the predominance of non-human predator activities, unlike during MIS5 57 ( Figure 3 C). In summary, archaeological insights from coastal sites suggest long-term shifts in Aterian occupation densities with respect to paleoenvironmental changes (transition from interglacial-like, MIS5c and MIS5a, to glacial, MIS 4–3, global conditions), although nuances still exist and further studies are needed for more robust and highly resolved timeline constraints.…”

The first use of olives in Africa around 100,000 years ago

“…Optically stimulated luminescence and combined U-series/Electron Spin Resonance dating (12,17) from Aterian MSA levels that include the plant fragments range from ca. 115 to 46 ka (Extended Data Table 1).…”