Testing the Reality of a “Living Floor” with Archaeological Data

Dibble, Harold L.; Chase, Philip G.; McPherron, Shannon P.; Tuffreau, Alain

doi:10.2307/281882

Cited by 130 publications

(82 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Even in the densely packed lower level we cannot discount bioturbation or other disturbance factors associated with lag deposits. As has been previously noted (e.g., Dibble et al 1997;Richardson 1992;Villa 1982), even on sites with supposedly distinct stratigraphic layering this should not be taken as a guarantee that artifacts have remained fixed in their original locations. Fortunately, at site manufacture of tools, could be examined.…”

Section: Extent Of Post-depositional Movementmentioning

confidence: 90%

Untitled

2011

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Rhino Cave, located at the World Heritage site of Tsodilo Hills, is one of the three main Middle Stone Age (MSA) sites in Botswana. Initial investigations during the mid-1990s left unanswered a number of key questions regarding the early use of the cave. This prompted the current investigations, which have unearthed a wealth of MSA artifacts from a lag deposit. Results of a selectively employed chaîne opératoire analysis have revealed a very special set of behavioral patterns. It will be argued that the best-fit interpretation of the results from this investigation lies within the realm of ritualized behavior. The assemblage is characterized by an unexpectedly large number of MSA points, which are for the most part produced in non-locally acquired raw materials. These points are colorful, carefully and often elaborately made, and, once complete, never left the cave. They were either deliberately burned to the point where they could no longer be used, abandoned, or intentionally smashed. These artifacts were found together with tabular grinding slabs and pieces of the locally available pigment, specularite. This assemblage was recovered directly beneath a massive, virtually free-standing rock face that has been carved with hundreds of cupules of varying sizes and shapes. A section of the carved rock face was recovered from well within the MSA deposits in association with handheld grinding stones. INTRODUCTIONI t has been proposed that "collective ritual -with its formal characteristic of amplified, stereotypical, redundant display -might be expected to leave a loud archaeological signature" (Watts 2009: 62). According to a number of researchers (e.g., Knight 2009;Knight 2010;Power 1999Power , 2009Power and Aiello 1997;Watts 1999Watts , 2002Watts , 2009) the archaeological record of ochre use, dating from the late Middle Pleistocene, provides such a signature. Symbolism, a crucial feature of ritual behavior, has been central to the debate on behavioral modernity. . However, one area of investigation that could potentially reveal patterns of ritual behavior has received minimal attention within African MSA studies. This is the application of the chaîne opératoire. Results from this method identify sequences of conscious choices made by the original artifact makers. The combined results of these individual sequences can provide insight into behavior patterns which are indicative of broader culturally determined traits and norms. By applying this methodological approach to a site that contains unusual or atypical MSA features, it can identify other 'loud archaeological signatures'.As noted by McBrearty (2003: 514) "one of the most difficult tasks for the prehistorian is to identify the emergence of novel behaviors." The authors suggest that a set of novel behavioral patterns is a most apt description for the results that have emerged from a recent test excavation at Rhino Cave, located within the World Heritage site of Tsodilo Hills, Botswana. This site was initially excavated in the mid-1990s (Robbins et al...

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Section: Extent Of Post-depositional Movementmentioning

confidence: 90%

Untitled

2011

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“…Many researchers question the untested assumption that sites of this age are generally in primary context or are "living floors" (Blumenschine & Peters, 1998;Burroni, Donahue, & Pollard, 2002;Dibble et al, 1997;Issac, 1967;Paddayya, 1987;Paddayya & Petraglia, 1993;Petraglia & Potts, 1994;Potts, Behrensmeyer, & Ditchfield, 1999;Schick, 1986;Schiffer, 1983Schiffer, , 1987Shea, 1999;Stern, 1994;Villa, 1982). For example, Dibble et al define a living floor as "a discrete and undisturbed occupation surface, in which the composition and spatial distribution of the artifacts, fauna, and features reflect primarily or exclusively the behaviors of the past inhabitants over a relatively restricted period of time" (Dibble et al, 1997:630).…”

Section: Background To Paleolithic Landscape Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Smaller, lighter artifacts can be winnowed out from the rest of the assemblage by water transport and gravity. I calculated the percentage of artifact size in centimeters by analysis section to examine the frequency of smaller artifacts that remain in the assemblage (Dibble et al, 1997;Schick, 1986). Schick (1986) has shown experimentally that complete assemblages include a larger number of small artifacts with a decreasing number of larger artifacts.…”

Section: Sizementioning

confidence: 99%

Acheulean artifact accumulation and early hominin land use, Garden Route Casino Road, Pinnacle Point, South Africa

Thompson¹

2009

Geoarchaeology

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An Early Stone Age Acheulean lithic assemblage collected along a 1.5-km transect at the Garden Route Casino near Pinnacle Point, Mossel Bay, South Africa, was examined in order to assess the relative degree to which assemblage variability is impacted by post-occupational processes and/or terrain. It was found that post-occupational variables do vary across the study area, and they affect the positions of artifacts to different degrees. Terrain structure was determined to have minimal effect on artifact movement. Three analysis sections were identified as having artifacts that were likely close to their original positions and compositions. Future interpretations of differential land use can now be tempered with considerations of the post-occupational processes that formed the recovered assemblage.

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“…Lack of dispersal in loess is the result of a low surface wind shear (because vegetation is usually present) also causing low impact energy of silt particles. Size sorting of artifacts and patterned long axis orientation are common indicators of artifact redeposition (Brown 1997;Dibble et al 1997).…”

Section: Site Formation and Destruction Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptive Management and Planning Models for Cultural Resources in Oil and Gas Fields in New Mexico and Wyoming

Eckerle¹,

Hall²

2005

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Testing the Reality of a “Living Floor” with Archaeological Data

Cited by 130 publications

References 47 publications

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Acheulean artifact accumulation and early hominin land use, Garden Route Casino Road, Pinnacle Point, South Africa

Adaptive Management and Planning Models for Cultural Resources in Oil and Gas Fields in New Mexico and Wyoming

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