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Temporary export permit of 3 objects with mastic from Steenbokfontein Cave

CaseViews

CaseHeader

Status: 

HeritageAuthority(s): 

ProposalDescription: 

This application for temporary export permit is to study macro and microscopic wear traces and residues on 3 tools with mastic of ~2 000 to ~8 300 years old from Steenbokfontein Cave, Western Cape.

Expanded_Motivation: 

Steenbokfontein Cave is located in the Western Cape, South Africa. The most in situ stratified cave site contains five occupation layers, dated between ~2000 and ~8300 years ago [1]. Previously, two spectacular adhesive finds were described in detail: a stone adze embedded in a large adhesive clump, and a cigar-shaped adhesive object [2]. These objects were published in 2001 but they were never analyzed in detail. The Cave yielded another spectacular find: a quartz barb-like projection still embedded in mastic on which the imprint of the wooden handle is visible. The tools will be studied with light and digital microscopy to understand how tools with prehistoric glues were used. With morphological analysis through microscopy, we can only identify potential glue remains. The tool will be subsequently analyzed with spectrographic non-destructive methods (XRF, and micro-FTIR ) to reconstruct the inorganic and organic components of the adhesives. Please also see the research plan.

ApplicationDate: 

Monday, May 29, 2023 - 18:05

CaseID: 

21472

OtherReferences: 

ReferenceList: 

CitationReferenceType
Jerardino, A., Two complementary West Coast Holocene lithic assemblages from Elands Bay and Lamberts Bay: implications for local changes in tool kit and group mobility. The South African Archaeological Bulletin, 2013. 68(198): p. 188-199.
Jerardino, A., Diversity in mastic-mounted stone adzes and the use of mastic in precolonial South Africa: evidence from Steenbokfontein Cave. Antiquity, 2001. 75(290): p. 859-866.
[3] Koller, J., U. Baumer, and D. Mania, High-Tech in the Middle Palaeolithic: Neandertal-Manufactured Pitch Identified. European Journal of Archaeology, 2001. 4(3): p. 385-397.
[4] Mazza, P.P.A., F. Martini, B. Sala, M. Magi, M.P. Colombini, G. Giachi, F. Landucci, C. Lemorini, F. Modugno, and E. Ribechini, A new Palaeolithic discovery: tar-hafted stone tools in a European Mid-Pleistocene bone-bearing bed. Journal of Archaeological Science, 2006. 33(9): p. 1310-1318.
[5] Boëda, E., S. Bonilauri, J. Connan, D. Jarvie, N. Mercier, M. Tobey, H. Valladas, Heba a. Sakhel, and S. Muhesen, Middle Palaeolithic bitumen use at Umm el Tlel around 70 000 BP. Antiquity, 2008. 82(318): p. 853-861.
[6] Charrié-Duhaut, A., G. Porraz, C.R. Cartwright, M. Igreja, J. Connan, C. Poggenpoel, and P.-J. Texier, First molecular identification of a hafting adhesive in the Late Howiesons Poort at Diepkloof Rock Shelter (Western Cape, South Africa). Journal of Archaeological Science, 2013. 40(9): p. 3506-3518.
[7] Porraz, G., J.E. Parkington, J.-P. Rigaud, C.E. Miller, C. Poggenpoel, C. Tribolo, W. Archer, C.R. Cartwright, A. Charrié-Duhaut, L. Dayet, M. Igreja, N. Mercier, P. Schmidt, C. Verna, and P.-J. Texier, The MSA sequence of Diepkloof and the history of southern African Late Pleistocene populations. Journal of Archaeological Science, 2013. 40(9): p. 3542-3552.
[8] Lombard, M., The gripping nature of ochre: The association of ochre with Howiesons Poort adhesives and Later Stone Age mastics from South Africa. Journal of Human Evolution, 2007. 53(4): p. 406-419.
[9] Rots, V., P. Van Peer, and P.M. Vermeersch, Aspects of tool production, use, and hafting in Palaeolithic assemblages from Northeast Africa. Journal of Human Evolution, 2011. 60(5): p. 637-664.
 
 

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