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Stratigraphic, chronological and behavioural contexts of Pleistocene Homo sapiens from Middle Awash, Ethiopia

Author

Listed:
  • J. Desmond Clark

    (The University of California)

  • Yonas Beyene

    (Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage)

  • Giday WoldeGabriel

    (EES-6/MS D462, Los Alamos National Laboratory)

  • William K. Hart

    (Miami University)

  • Paul R. Renne

    (Berkeley Geochronology Center
    University of California)

  • Henry Gilbert

    (University of California)

  • Alban Defleur

    (CNRS UMR 6569 du CNRS, Laboratoire d'Anthropologie, Faculté de Médecine)

  • Gen Suwa

    (The University Museum, The University of Tokyo)

  • Shigehiro Katoh

    (Hyogo Museum of Nature and Human Activities)

  • Kenneth R. Ludwig

    (Berkeley Geochronology Center)

  • Jean-Renaud Boisserie

    (CNRS UMR 6046, Université de Poitiers)

  • Berhane Asfaw

    (Rift Valley Research Service)

  • Tim D. White

    (Berkeley Geochronology Center
    University of California)

Abstract

Clarifying the geographic, environmental and behavioural contexts in which the emergence of anatomically modern Homo sapiens occurred has proved difficult, particularly because Africa lacked adequate geochronological, palaeontological and archaeological evidence. The discovery of anatomically modern Homo sapiens fossils at Herto, Ethiopia1, changes this. Here we report on stratigraphically associated Late Middle Pleistocene artefacts and fossils from fluvial and lake margin sandstones of the Upper Herto Member of the Bouri Formation, Middle Awash, Afar Rift, Ethiopia. The fossils and artefacts are dated between 160,000 and 154,000 years ago by precise age determinations using the 40Ar/39Ar method. The archaeological assemblages contain elements of both Acheulean and Middle Stone Age technocomplexes. Associated faunal remains indicate repeated, systematic butchery of hippopotamus carcasses. Contemporary adult and juvenile Homo sapiens fossil crania manifest bone modifications indicative of deliberate mortuary practices.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Desmond Clark & Yonas Beyene & Giday WoldeGabriel & William K. Hart & Paul R. Renne & Henry Gilbert & Alban Defleur & Gen Suwa & Shigehiro Katoh & Kenneth R. Ludwig & Jean-Renaud Boisserie & Berhan, 2003. "Stratigraphic, chronological and behavioural contexts of Pleistocene Homo sapiens from Middle Awash, Ethiopia," Nature, Nature, vol. 423(6941), pages 747-752, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:423:y:2003:i:6941:d:10.1038_nature01670
    DOI: 10.1038/nature01670
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