Re‐examining the age of the Affad MSA deposits in the Middle Nile Valley

Dados Bibliográficos

ID8353000
AutoresPiotr Osypiński (0000-0001-7843-224X, Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology Polish Academy of Sciences Al. Solidarności 105 Warsaw PL‐00140 Poland, autor correspondente), Sallie L Burrough (0000-0003-1043-0998, University of Oxford), S Burrough (School of Geography and the Environment University of Oxford South Parks Road Oxford UK), Anne R Skinner (Williams College), A Skinner (0000-0001-7723-8015, Department of Chemistry Williams College 47 Lab Campus Drive Williamstown MA 01267 USA), Karol Standzikowski (0000-0002-1215-0415, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University)
Ano2021
Volume63
Fascículo6
Páginas1405-1420
Data de publicação2021-12-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoArchaeometry (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0003-813X • E-ISSN: 1475-4754
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/arcm.12670
OpenAlexW3135075992
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas7
Referências citadas19

We present data on the chronology of fluvial and aeolian sediments as well as ecofacts that allow us to indicate the timing of Middle Stone Age settlement in Affad on the Middle Nile. Previously published chronometric data based solely on (multi‐grain) optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dates suggested the extremely late settlement and usage of Middle Stone Age technology in North‐East Africa during the Terminal Pleistocene (post‐Last Glacial Maximum). The current analyses using multiple dating methods—multi‐ and single‐grain OSL, thermoluminescence (TL), electron spin resonance (ESR) or accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon (AMS 14 C)—with OSL analyses carried out blind in three independent laboratories suggest this age is incorrect. More likely is that the site dates to about 50 ka. The comparison of dating results and methodological differences enable us to explore a spectrum of possible explanations. Here we infer the strong need to consider an appropriate methodology specific to the depositional context for indicating the age of fluvial sediments and prehistoric settlements at open‐air sites of North‐East Africa

Aeolian processes · Archaeology · Chronology · Context (archaeology) · Fluvial · Geography · Optically stimulated luminescence · Pleistocene · Prehistory · Radiocarbon dating · Sedimentary depositional environment · Structural basin · Thermoluminescence dating · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Geology · Geology and Paleoclimatology Research · Paleontology · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology