Phytoliths as an indicator of early modern humans plant gathering strategies, fire fuel and site occupation intensity during the Middle Stone Age at Pinnacle Point 5-6 (south coast, South Africa)

Research at Pinnacle Point 5-6 North (South Africa) reveals the first evidence of intentional gathering and use of Restionaceae family plants by Middle Stone Age hunter-gatherers, marking a significant shift in plant foraging strategies. The study used phytolith analysis to reconstruct past human behavior, showing that during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5, humans built fast fires using grasses for potential shellfish cooking. By MIS 4, there was a transition toward intensive dry wood exploitation, likely to improve silcrete heating, coinciding with changes in stone tool technology and site occupation intensity. The findings highlight the complex interplay between human behavior, fire control, and environmental adaptation during this critical period of modern human emergence.

Esteban, I., Marean, C. W., Fisher, E. C., Karkanas, P., Cabanes, D., & Albert, R. M. (2018). Phytoliths as an indicator of early modern humans plant gathering strategies, fire fuel and site occupation intensity during the Middle Stone Age at Pinnacle Point 5-6 (south coast, South Africa). Plos One, 13(6), e0198558. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198558