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Evidence for an ancient African past

Evidence for a very old African past: archaeology, Blombos, Klasies River, Sibudu and our species. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

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Where the evidence lies

Sibudu CaveKlasies RiverBlombos CaveN
Three important sites, two on the coast and Sibudu in KwaZulu-Natal: some of the world’s oldest evidence.
Dig layer bylayerRecord whereeach findlayStudy in alaboratoryScientificdating
Where a find lay tells archaeologists a lot about it.
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What it shows

  • Ochre was used as paint for bodies and objects; shell beads show people liked to decorate themselves.
  • Stone tools became smaller, finer and more specialised over time. Poisoned arrows show deep knowledge of plants, insects and tracking.
  • Hunting big animals with spears needed cooperation. Groups moved with the seasons, met other groups and swapped gifts. Water was kept in ostrich eggshells; counting sticks kept track of time.
  • Visitors must leave everything exactly where it lies. Rock paintings show people’s beliefs and animals.
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Remember this and test yourself

Remember this: your summary
  • Archaeology studies the past through things people left behind; before writing, objects are the evidence.
  • An excavation removes soil layer by layer; the deepest layer is usually the oldest.
  • Blombos Cave has some of the earliest engraved ochre and shell beads; Klasies River shows people lived there for tens of thousands of years.
  • At Sibudu Cave plants were used as bedding that kept insects away.
  • We are Homo sapiens; our species arose in Africa. A hominin is a member of the human family.

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Memory trick

Deep = old: the deeper the layer, the older the find.

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

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Test yourself · Part 2

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