The range of technological elements that marks the Middle Stone Age originated more than
300,000 years ago and formed the basic tool kit for an extended period of time. No spatial …

The concept of remote capture involved in the creation and use of snares and traps is one of
several indicators that can be used for the recognition of enhanced working memory and …

Molluscs comprise the second largest phylum of animals (after arthropods), occurring in
virtually all habitats. Some are commercially important, a few are pests and some carry …

The expansion of modern human populations in Africa 80,000 to 60,000 years ago and their
initial exodus out of Africa have been tentatively linked to two phases of technological and …

Africa's Middle Stone Age (MSA) may have lasted almost half a million years, but its earliest
expression is not yet well understood. The MSA is best known for innovations that appear in …

Here we report on newly identified beads recovered from four Middle Stone Age levels at
Blombos Cave and, in particular, on a cluster of 24 perforated Nassarius kraussianus shells …

The invention of the bow and arrow was a pivotal moment in the human story and its earliest
use is a primary quarry of the modern researcher. Since the organic parts of the weapon …

The Middle Stone Age (MSA) is associated with early behavioral innovations, expansions of
modern humans within and out of Africa, and occasional population bottlenecks. Several …

Recent investigations into the origins of symbolism indicate that personal ornaments in the
form of perforated marine shell beads were used in the Near East, North Africa, and …

The later Pleistocene archaeological record of southernmost Africa encompasses several
Middle Stone Age industries and the transition to the Later Stone Age. Through this period …