Blombos

Blombos is a prehistoric site near to the Cape of the Needles, to approximately 300 km in the east of the city of the Cape in South Africa. It is in a cave opening with the feet of a cliff and was made famous for the unexpected discovery of vestiges translating of the modern behaviors and of the esthetic concerns even symbolic systems (engraved blocks of ocher, pearls in shell, tools in bone) in levels going back to 75 to 70.000 years BP, is Middle Stone Age (MSA), being equivalent more or less to the Paléolithique European means. These discoveries deeply modified the current vision of the history of art and the cultural evolution to the Paleolithic one, which appears slower and progressive that what one thought before.

General presentation

The excavations led under the direction of C.S. Henshilwood since 1991 to Blombos made it possible to clarify one day new the lifestyles of the Middle Stone Age . Three phases of occupation were identified and named M1, m2 and m3. Datings obtained by ( optically stimulated luminescence ) and Thermoluminescence made it possible to evaluate the age of the M1 phase at approximately 73.000 years (OIS 5a/4), that of the phase m2 at approximately 80.000 years (OIS 5a) and that of the phase m3 between 100 and 140.000 years (OIS 5d - 5e/6).

Each phase of occupation appears relatively short and the thickness of the deposits is generally lower than 10 cm per layer. A hiatus separates last occupations MSA from the Later Stone Age (LSA) and of the almost sterile deposits between the phases m2 and m3 indicate one long period during which the site was unoccupied. These characteristics indicate that the cave was occupied in a discontinuous way and for relatively short periods.

Vestiges considered as unusual for the Middle Stone Age were put at the day with Blombos: they are tools in bone, pearls in marine shells and blocks of ocher engraved for the M1 phase and of tools in bone for the phase m2. During the phase m3, ocher is a material frequently used and tools intended to work it were discovered.

Stratigraphic sequence

The cave of Blombos is to a hundred meters of the coast and to 35 m above the sea level. It opens in the calcified wind deposits me/Pliocène S of the Wankoe Formation and was dug by marine erosion. The deposits inside the cave occupy more than 80 m ². Levels MSA were excavated on nearly 20 m ² and until a depth to approximately 2 m under surface to origin. The history of the deposits of the MSA is complex. Right before the installation of the deposits corresponding to the phase m3, of broad blocks of breach being able to reach 3 m thickness seem to be itself detached of the ceiling, creating an irregular ground. New falls of block have affected deposits MSA after the phase of occupation m3, there are approximately 130 to 140.000 years.

The later human occupations generated an accumulation of remains on and around these blocks on a thickness exceeding 2 Mr. the compaction led the deposits to drape the blocks, leading sometimes to the formation of almost vertical layers. Near the side walls and bottom of the cave, the deposits of the MSA sometimes contracted by leaving a space filled then by deposits of the LSA. By place, broad blocks slipped or split up, causing rehandlings of the overlying deposits. In spite of these anomalies, the main part of the deposits of the MSA is remained in situ and is not disturbed. After having identified the altered vestiges and having drawn aside those coming from zones likely to be contaminated by more recent levels, the archeologists estimate that more than 95% of material MSA put at the day is worthy of confidence.

Archaeological vestiges

M1 phase

The principal markers of the M1 phase are foliaceous points bifaciales characteristic of industry Still Bay, finished or given up in the course of manufacture (photo). More than 400 were preserved. The silcrète is the principal material used and the source nearest is to approximately 30 km. The presence of a big number of small glares indicates that these parts were produced on the spot. The site could have even functioned like a workshop of lithic production.

More than sixty Perle S was also put at the day. They were made starting from shells of Gastéropode S of the species Nassarius kraussianus , were bored in order to be able to be suspended or threaded. Twenty-seven from these pearls could come from the same body ornament. These elements of ornament, studied by Francesco d' Errico and Marian Vanhaeren (CNRS), count among oldest in the world. The oldest elements of ornament known before went back to 40.000 before J. - C. and had been discovered in Turkey and in Kenya.

Two engraved and striated small pieces of Ocre were discovered in the levels of the M1 phase (photo 1, photograph 2). The reasons are relatively complex and include/understand parallel features and pilot wheels. These objects can be regarded as one of the oldest known artistic expressions.

More than fifteen tools in bone also come from the same levels.

Phase m2

The sediments of the phase m2 delivered parts bifaciales like more than twenty tools in bone, in particular of the punches (photo). These very refined tools are generally regarded as clean with the anatomically modern Man, Homo sapiens . The craftsman of the vestiges of Blombos is not however yet known.

Phase m3

In the levels of the phase m3, the shaping bifacial and the tools in bone are absent. The silcrète is always dominating but the improved tools are rarer. The scraped blocks of ocher are numerous in this level. The work of ocher implied dormant and active grinding stones as well as strikers. Shelly clusters and large hearths characterize the lower levels.

Fauna

The faunal vestiges of the three phases of the MSA show that a broad range of earth resources were exploited. The exploitation of marine resources is also attested by the discoveries of more than one thousand of fish remainders, corresponding for the majority to species of big size, as well as marine shells and bones of otaries and Dauphin S. These resources are comparable with those of the groups of the LSA known in the area.

Human remainders

The only human remainders put at the day in the levels of the MSA consist of nine human teeth, generally déciduales. The teeth probably come from individuals relatively graciles and are similar to the samples collected with Klasies River and De Kelders.

Paléoenvironnement

The occupations of the phase M1 (isotopic stage 5a/4) correspond to one period of marine regression (approximately 60 to 70 m under the current sea level with a shore distant from 10 to 25 km of the current coast) which was undoubtedly colder than the phase m2. The presence in the deposits of the M1 phase of an alive mussel hidden in sand, Donax tightened , suggests the presence of beaches vis-a-vis the cave. The densities of shells are lower during this phase (17,5 kg per m3) probably in relation to the distance from the sea to the cave.

The phase m2 is contemporary isotopic stage 5a, with a marine level lower by 25 m compared to the current one and a line of coast than less than 5 km of the current one. The densities of shells are intermediate (31,8 kg per m3). The climatic conditions were to be moderate and softer than at the time of the occupations of the M1 phase.

The upper part of the deposits of the phase m3 has a strong density of shells (68,4 kg per m3) suggesting a marine level similar to the current one. These levels are undoubtedly immediately posterior in Éémien (OIS 5d; approximately - 100.000 years). A date OSL of approximately 143.000 years (OIS 6) was obtained for a level with weak density of vestiges of the phase m3, which lets think that this one could be subdivided more finely when other dates are available.

Conclusion

Before the discovery of Blombos, the realization of pearls in marine shells, the incision of blocks of ocher following of the geometrical reasons, the regular production and the use of tools in bone as well as the probable control of fishing were as many behavioral features considered as out of reach human groups of Middle Stone Age.

These behaviors probably evolved/moved over long periods but they do not seem attested in any other contemporary site of Blombos, even in any other site slightly more recent, than it is in South Africa or remainder of Africa. The known innovations with Blombos were not used by the human groups carrying the culture of Howiesons Poort, gone back to approximately - 65.000 years. It is true also that the sites having delivered elements characteristic of the culture Still Bay are rare in the province of the Cape-Westerner, that the organic elements are not preserved in the majority of them and/or that the excavations were not exhaustive there.

There remains difficult to determine if these innovations were not diffused in the remainder of South Africa and beyond, or if they were not highlighted yet elsewhere. The eruptions of the Toba Mount, approximately 72.000 years ago, could have involved a demographic crisis as well as the loss of certain technical innovations.

The emergence of cultural modernity remains difficult to explain. Environmental factors could involve an increase in the population during the phase m2, approximately 80.000 years ago, but the climate again became more rigorous in the southern hemisphere after approximately - 75.000 years. Could the demographic pressure on the coastal resources, coupled with the distance of the line of shore, stimulate the behavioral and cultural innovation? Blombos could be one of the key sites to include/understand the appearance of human cultural modernity during recent Pleistocene in Africa.

See too

Bibliographical references

  • References relating to Blombos
    • Henshilwood, C.S. 2006. Modern humans and symbolic behaviour: Hollow obviousness from Blombos, South Africa. In Origins (ED. G. Blundell). Cape Town: Double Storey: 78-83.
    • Henshilwood, C.S. & Marean, C.W. 2006. Remodelling the origins off modern human behavior. In: The Human Genome and Africa Leaves One: History and Archaeology . (ED. H. Soodyall). Human Sciences Research Council.
    • Henshilwood, C.S. & of Errico, F. 2005. Being modern in the Middle Stone Old: Individuals and innovation. In The Individual hominid in context: Archaeological investigations off Lower and Middle Palaeolithic landscapes, local and artefacts . (eds. C. Gamble & Mr. Porr). Routledge (Taylor Francis): 244-264
    • Henshilwood, C.S. 2005. Stratigraphic integrity off the Middle Stone Old levels Hollow At Blombos. In From Tools to Symbols. From Early Hominids to Modern Humans . (eds. F. of Errico & L. Backwell). Johannesburg, Witwatersrand University Near: 441-458.
    • of Errico, F., Henshilwood, C., Vanhaeren, Mr., van Niekerk. K. 2005. Nassarius kraussianus Hollow Shell beads from Blombos: Obviousness for symbolic behavior in the Middle Stone Old. Newspaper off Human Evolution 48:3 - 24.
    • Henshilwood, C.S. 2004. The Origins off Modern Human Behavior: Exploring the African obviousness. In Combining the Present Past and the: Archaeological prospects one society . (eds. T. Oestigaard, NR. Anfinset and T. Saetersdal). International BAR Series 1210:95 - 106.
    • Henshilwood, C.S., of Errico, F., Vanhaeren, Mr., van Niekerk, K., Jacobs, Z. 2004. Middle Stone Old Shell beads from South Africa. Science , 384:404.
    • Henshilwood, C.S. & Marean, C.W. 2003. The origin off modern human behavior: With review and critical off models and test implications. Current Anthropology 44 (5): 627-651
    • of Errico F., Henshilwood C., Lawson G., Vanhaeren Mr., Soressi Mr., Bresson F., Tillier A.M., Maureille B., Nowell A., Backwell L., Lakarra J.A., Julien Mr. 2003. The search for the origin off symbolism, music and language: multidisciplinary endeavor has. Newspaper off World Prehistory , 17 (1): 1-70.
    • Henshilwood, C.S., of Errico, F., Yates, R., Jacobs, Z., Tribolo, C., Duller, G.A.T., Draper NR., Sealy, J.C., Valladas, H., Watts, I. & Wintle, A.G. 2002. Emergence off Modern Human Behavior: Middle Stone Old engravings from South Africa. Science 295:1278 - 1280.
    • Grine, F.E. & Henshilwood, C.S. 2002. Additional Human Remains from Blombos Hollow, South Africa: (1999-2000 excavations). Newspaper off Human Evolution 42:293 - 302.
    • Henshilwood, C.S., Sealy, J.C., Yates, R.J., Cruz-Uribe, K., Goldberg, P., Grine, F.E., Klein, R.G., Poggenpoel, C., van Niekerk, K.L., Watts, I. 2001a. Hollow Blombos, southern Cape, South Africa: Preliminary carryforward one the 1992 - 1999 excavations off the Middle Stone Old levels. Newspaper off Archaeological Science 28 (5): 421-448.
    • Henshilwood, C.S., of Errico, F.E., Marean, C.W., Milo, R.G., Yates, R. 2001b. Year early bone tool industry from the Middle Stone Old At Hollow Blombos, South Africa: implications for the origins off modern human behavior, symbolism and language. Newspaper off Human Evolution 41:631 - 678.
    • of Errico, F., Henshilwood, C.S., & Nilssen, P. 2001. Year engraved bone fragment from Ca 75 kyr Middle Stone Old levels Hollow At Blombos, South Africa: implications for the origin off symbolism. Antiquity . 75,309-18.
    • Grine, F.E., Henshilwood, C.S. & Sealy, J.C. 2000. Hollow Human remains from Blombos, South Africa: (1997-1998 excavations). Newspaper off Human Evolution , 37:755 - 765.
    • Henshilwood, C.S. 1997 Identifying the collector: Obviousness for human consumption off the Cape dune mole-rat, Bathyergus suillus, from Hollow Blombos, southern Cape, South Africa. Newspaper off Archaeological Science 24:659 - 662.
    • Henshilwood, C.S. & Sealy, J.C. 1997. Bone artefacts from the Middle Stone Old At Hollow Blombos, southern Cape, South Africa. Current Anthropology 38 (5): 890-895.
    • Henshilwood, C.S. 1996. With revised chronology for the arrival off pastoralism in southernmost Africa: new obviousness off sheep At Hollow Ca 2000 b.p. from Blombos, South Africa. Antiquity 70:945 - 949.

  • References concerning the dating of the deposits of Blombos

    • Tribolo, C., Draper, NR., Selo, Mr., Joron, J-L., Reyss, J-L., Henshilwood, C., Sealy, J. & Yates, R. 2006. Hollow TL dating off burnt lithics from Blombos (South Africa): further obviousness for the antiquity off modern human behavior. Archaeometry , 48 (2): 341-357.
    • Jacobs, Z. Duller, G.A.T., Wintle, A.G. & Henshilwood, C.S. 2006.Extending the chronology off deposits Hollow At Blombos, South Africa, back to 140 ka using optical dating off individual and multiple grains off quartz. Newspaper off Human Evolution 51:255 - 273.
    • Jacobs, Z., Wintle, A.G. & Duller, G.A.T. (2003a). Optical dating off Hollow dune sand from Blombos, South Africa: I-multiple grain dated. J. Hum. Evol. 44,599 - 612.
    • Jacobs, Z., Duller, G.A.T. & Wintle, A.G. (2003b). Optical dating off Hollow dune sand from Blombos, South Africa: II-individual grain dated. J. Hum. Evol. 44,613 - 625.

External bonds

  • Article illustrated on '' my prehistory ''
  • '' Blombos Undermines project ''
  • Study reveals “oldest jewelry”

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