Multi-scalar Analysis of a Southern African Assemblage: The Middle Stone Age at Ha Makotoko, Lesotho.

ABSTRACT: This study describes a Middle Stone Age (MSA) assemblage from Ha Makotoko, Lesotho. Excavated in 2010, the assemblage dates to > 42 ka and falls within Marine Isotope Stage 3. Faunal remains indicate a grassland environment during the time of occupation. The lithic artefacts found at Ha Makotoko comprise a predominantly flake-based industry with some blades and an increasing frequency of bladelets throughout the sequence. Artefacts were primarily made on fine-grained materials and cores were mainly struck irregularly. The few tools present include points, and miscellaneously retouched pieces are common. Use-wear traces on points show direct evidence of hafting, with butchering and woodworking indicated. The MSA assemblage from Ha Makotoko is compared to material from the nearby sites of Nt

SUBMITTER: Siemssen T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12630296 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature