Abstract
Pomongwe (PMG) is a large shelter in Southwestern Zimbabwe, c. 20 m long, 20 m wide and c. 12 m high at the drip line. It lies at 20.533° S, 28.5° E, and 1375 m above sea level. In 2017, a new research project was launched in the Matobo, focusing on the site of PMG, with the aim of clarifying the chronocultural sequence and chrono-stylistic variation of the rock art at the site. A major part of the program concentrated in documenting rock art, an essential preliminary step for any stylistic analysis. Excavations were conducted over a limited surface and unearthed a rich Middle Stone Age (MSA) assemblage, comprising various lithics and raw materials, ochre pieces, bones, charcoal, and numerous features that may relate to combustion-related activities. The MSA deposits have good organic preservation, as observed from the profiles as well as during our excavation. Rock art at PMG highlights the unsuspected great scientific potential to characterize LSA stylistic dynamics in the longue durée. The associated high-quality sequence of occupation offers well-secured chronocultural reference.
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Acknowledgements
The program “Matobart” is funded by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Institut Universitaire de France and supported by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, the CNRS, the French Institute of South Africa (UMIFRE 25), the Laboratoire de Recherche des Monuments Historiques, the University of Toulouse Jean Jaurès (UMR 5608 TRACES) as well as the University of Tuebingen. Permit of excavation No. 012/2018 was granted by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe.
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Porraz, G., Nhamo, A., Bourdier, C. (2023). Pomongwe Cave, Zimbabwe. In: Beyin, A., Wright, D.K., Wilkins, J., Olszewski, D.I. (eds) Handbook of Pleistocene Archaeology of Africa . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-20290-2_79
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