Distribution of archaeological material along the ancient Tsondab River through the Namib Sand Sea, Namibia

A 2024 survey along the ancient Tsondab River in Namibia's Namib Sand Sea revealed Middle Stone Age (MSA) artefacts across nearly its entire east-west expanse, challenging assumptions about human habitation and subsistence in arid landscapes. The study documented MSA tools in interdune pans, suggesting deep-time exploitation of this relict fluvial landscape. While Earlier Stone Age (ESA) artefacts were absent, the findings imply that the region supported diverse floral and faunal communities during the Pleistocene, offering indirect evidence for environmental changes over time. By combining archaeological surveys with geoarchaeological and geomorphological analyses, researchers aim to clarify the timing of water presence along this former river course and its implications for early human movement in a challenging environment.

Stratford, D., Leader, G., Marks, T., Stone, A., Bynoe, R., Marais, E., & Efram, K. (2026). Distribution of archaeological material along the ancient Tsondab River through the Namib Sand Sea, Namibia. L’Anthropologie, 103524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anthro.2026.103524