A recent (2009) examination of worked silcrete stone from Pinnacle Point indicates that it was heat-treated. This is the oldest known example of such technology.
The oldest levels at Pinnacle Point have been dated by a combination of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and uranium-thorium dating of a speleotherm to 162,000 years ago. The oldest level includes both Levallois and bladelet (Howiesons Poort-like) technologies, and hundreds of pieces of pigment (red ochre).
Archaeologists consider the emergence of stone tool manufacturing and the control of fire as the two hallmark events in the technological evolution of early humans. While experts agree the origins of stone tools date back at least 2.5 million years in Africa, the origin of fire control has been a prolonged and heated debate. Villa and Roebroeks, who together speak and read six languages, have visited or worked at dozens of the Neanderthal excavation sites in Europe. They also combed libraries throughout Europe and the United States for research papers on evidence for early fire use in Europe, contacting researchers involved in the excavations when possible for additional information and insight. Read more at: phys.org...
Originally posted by punkinworks10
reply to post by Hanslune
Hi Hans,
That's awsome, I can't help but notice that the cave is practically at the end of the continent. Are there any sites of that age farther north on the Atlantic coas? Are there any sites inland?
And at 160k years ago who would have been the occupants? homo heidlbergensis, or h rhodensiensis or maybe a late h erectus or possibly the yet to be identified homonin that all modern sub saharan Africans carry genes from.
Also I just read an article on an ancient east African lake that was an intermediate location for early humans.
Originally posted by isyeye
reply to post by Hanslune
Has there been any theories about the symbolism or meaning of the carved piece of red ochre that you linked?
