Ritualized Behavior in the Middle Stone Age: Evidence from Rhino Cave, Tsodilo Hills, Botswana

A recent study at Rhino Cave, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tsodilo Hills in Botswana, reveals compelling evidence of ritualized behavior during the Middle Stone Age (MSA). The research uncovered a unique assemblage of MSA artifacts, including intricately crafted points made from non-local raw materials, which were deliberately burned or smashed and never left the cave. These artifacts, found alongside grinding slabs and specularite pigment, suggest a specialized behavioral pattern distinct from typical subsistence activities. The discovery also includes a section of a carved rock face with numerous cupules, further indicating ritualistic practices. This study employed a chaîneopératoire analysis to interpret the behavioral patterns, providing new insights into the cognitive and social complexities of MSA societies in southern Africa.

(Ed.). (2011). PaleoAnthropology, 2011. https://doi.org/10.4207/pa.2011.art42