A recent study led by Dr. Gregor D. Bader has uncovered fascinating insights into the behaviors of Stone Age hunter-gatherers in Eswatini. This study was conducted by Dr. Bader from the Department of Early Prehistory and Quaternary Ecology at the University of Tübingen. It shows, for instance, that early humans made trips of up to 100km round-trip just to source brightly colored stones to create tools and weapons.
The study examined artifacts from four key archaeological sites: Hlalakahle, Siphiso, Sibebe, and Nkambeni. What these discoveries suggest is that the hunter-gatherers systematically selected high-quality raw materials like red jasper, green chalcedony, and black chert. This preference is pronounced in their notable bias towards aesthetically pleasing qualities in tool production. This study adds to the understanding behind the cultural importance of color and material selection early human societies aimed to invoke.
The Research Methodology
Neutron activation analysis allowed Dr. Bader’s team to follow the sourcing of the stones used in the artifacts. This multifaceted approach enables scientists to pinpoint the geochemical signatures of different types of materials. In the process, it provides key understandings of past human practices and use of natural resources. They worked in tandem with Dr. Brandi MacDonald, from a research reactor in Missouri, U.S. As the team drew together, Hedeen and Dr.
What the research ultimately uncovered was quite astonishing. Human-made instruments constructed out of green chalcedony and red jasper corresponded with geochemical signatures identified in rock quarries from the Mgwayiza Valley, located 20 to 100 kilometers distant from the analyzed locations. These new findings point to evidence that early humans were very advanced tool-makers. Finally, they spent numerous days on the road scrounging for their desired salvaged resources.
Shifts in Material Preferences
The study showed that contemporaneous models found that different stones were preferred at different times throughout the Stone Age. From around 40,000 to 28,000 years ago, a period known as the Middle Stone Age, black and white chert was popular. Green chalcedony was very important during this time. Since red jasper was an interesting and rare material, its use exploded in the later Stone Age. This trend was particularly vibrant from 30,000 to 20,000 years ago.
This change in materials choice indicates that color was an important part of the cultural practices of these nomadic foragers. This brings up some really interesting questions. What role did environmental factors and interactions with other early human groups play in creating these preferences? The evidence points toward a potential exchange of materials and ideas among different communities, further enriching our understanding of human development during this period.
Contextualizing the Findings
The National Museum in Lobamba, Eswatini, proved to be an invaluable resource for this research project. The museum contains an astonishing treasure of material from the many different archaeological sites. These environments have provided ideal settings for Dr. Bader’s team to conduct their research. These artifacts were studied in a remarkably well-preserved context. This innovative approach enabled them to make more nuanced conclusions about the feeding behaviors and foraging preferences of Stone Age hunter-gatherers.
The implications of this research go far beyond winning material goods. Learning about the reasons why early humans selected specific colors and stone types gives us a glimpse into some pretty cool stuff. These decisions are a testament to the deep social and cultural complexities of their countries. It illustrates how aesthetics came to shape the tool-making process. This effect might have similarly molded personal relationships between Indigenous peoples, settlers, and enslaved people.