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The Kapthurin Formation revisited

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Abstract

This contribution reports on the results obtained from the 1980–7 research in the Kapthurin Formation (Baringo, Kenya) which aimed at the refinement of the chronology, stratigraphy and environmental evidence in order to establish a framework for the interpretation of the prehistoric sites. In 1966 a Late Acheulean industry with prepared-core technique and blade component, dated betweenca 0.82/0.64 myr and 0.23 myr had been described in the area concerned.

All the sites belong to the middle Kapthurin formation which is situated in the Bruhnes normal polarity chron and has a lower limit of 0.58 myr. The upper limit of 0.23 myr could not be confirmed. The fauna is consistent with the available dating evidence. The sites are situated in a flat savanna landscape which was built up by a braided river system under slightly more humid conditions than the present climate. On some of the sites artifacts were found in association with palaeosoils. Although the interpretation of such assemblages must consider the impact of natural turbation processes, the palaeosoils provide exceptional conditions for comparing sites from the same phase of landscape stabilization. The present archaeological evidence suggests a sequence of Late Acheulean and Post-Acheulean (Sangoan?, Middle Stone Age) assemblages rather than the presence of one single industry as described previously. The relation between these assemblages and the two mandibles ofHomo sp. (aff.erectus) BK67 and BK8518 (found in 1966 and 1982) emphasizes the need for more research in the area.

Résumé

Cet article présente les résultats des recherches entre 1980 et 1987 dans la formation Kapthurin (Baringo, Kenya), l'accent étant mis sur la chronologie, la stratigraphie et le milieu, afin d'établir un cadre d'interprétation des sites préhistoriques. En 1966, un Acheuléen tardif avec technique de préparation du nucléus et production de lames, a été décrit dans la région concernée et datée entreca 0.82/0.64 et 0.23 millions d'années.

Tous les sites se trouvent dans la partie moyenne de la formation, qui appartient à l'époque Bruhnes de polarité normale. La limite inférieure est datée de 0.58 millions d'années, mais la date de 0.23 millions d'annés pour la limite supérieure ne put être confirmée. Les restes fauniques sont en accord avec le cadre chronologique disponible. Les sites se trouvaient dans un paysage plat, de savannes, formé par un système de rivières anastomosées lors d'une phase climatique légèrement plus humide qu'actuellement. Sur quelques sites, les artefacts ont été trouvés en association avec des paléosols. Bien que l'interprétation de ce genre d'ensembles doive se faire en tenant compte de l'impact des perturbations naturelles, les paléosols fournissent des conditions exceptionelles pour comparer des sites appartenant à la même phase de paysages. Les données archéologiques obtenues mettent en évidence une séquence qui va de l'Acheuléen tardif au Post-Acheuléen (Sangoen?, Middle Stone Age), et non plus la présence d'une seule industrie, comme décrit précédemment. La relation entre ces ensembles et les deux machoires d'Homo sp. (aff.erectus) BK 67 et BK 8518 (respectivement trouvées en 1966 et 1982) reste inconnue et devrait conduire à de nouvelles recherches dans la région.

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Authors
  1. E. Cornelissen
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  2. A. Boven
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  3. A. Dabi
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  4. J. Hus
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  5. K. Ju Yong
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  6. E. Keppens
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  7. R. Langohr
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  8. J. Moeyersons
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  9. P. Pasteels
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  10. M. Pieters
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  11. H. Uytterschaut
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  12. F. Van Noten
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  13. H. Workineh
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Cornelissen, E., Boven, A., Dabi, A. et al. The Kapthurin Formation revisited. Afr Archaeol Rev 8, 23–75 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01116871

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