Coherent changes in wood charcoals, site occupation and lithic technology across the MIS 4/3 transition at Klein Kliphuis rock shelter, South Africa

A significant shift in human behavior and environmental adaptation occurred at Klein Kliphuis rock shelter, South Africa, during the transition from Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 4 to MIS 3, approximately 65–55,000 years ago. The study reveals that as soil moisture declined, site occupation intensity decreased, marked by a reduction in diverse fuelwood species and an increase in shrubs and small flowering plants used for 'fast fires.' This suggests a behavioral change towards shorter visits and greater forager mobility, possibly linked to early MIS 3 conditions. Wood charcoals also indicate that silcrete, the dominant lithology in tool production during the Howiesons Poort period, was less prevalent post-transition, implying changes in lithic technology. The research integrates paleoenvironmental data with archaeological evidence to uncover coherent shifts in human adaptation strategies during this critical period.

Mackay, A., & Cartwright, C. R. (2022). Coherent changes in wood charcoals, site occupation and lithic technology across the MIS 4/3 transition at Klein Kliphuis rock shelter, South Africa. Journal of Quaternary Science, 38(1), 38–48. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/jqs.3457