The Pleistocene archaeological sites scattered along the southern coast of South Africa have preserved a wealth of important evidence that tells the behavioral evolution of modern humans (Homo sapiens). In 2024, they were inscribed on the World Heritage List as "The Emergence of Modern Human Behavior: Pleistocene Settlements of Southern Africa".
This article will provide a detailed introduction to the characteristics of each site, the cultural traces discovered there, and the evaluation points for each site as a World Heritage Site.
What are the Pleistocene settlements of South Africa?
Registered name and location information
The World Heritage Site, officially called "The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa", will be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024.
The site stretches along the southern coast of South Africa and includes three major archaeological sites - Diepkloof Rock Shelter, Pinnacle Point Archaeological Group and Sibudu Caves - located in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, all close to the coastline.
Reasons for attracting worldwide attention and basic overview
The reason these sites are attracting attention is that they contain a wealth of physical evidence showing that "modern behavior" of modern humans (Homo sapiens) emerged during the Middle Pleistocene epoch, approximately 120,000 to 70,000 years ago. "Modern behavior" here refers to the turning point at which humans acquired the cultural and cognitive capabilities we see today, including abstract thinking, symbolic behavior, planned tool making, and the use of marine resources. These ruins have revealed traces of the use of pigments, inscribed ornaments, and the making of complex stone tools, making them important research materials that will greatly deepen our understanding of human evolution.
Overview of each component of the Pleistocene Settlement Complex in South Africa
Diepkloof Rock Shelter Features and Discoveries
Diepkloof Rock Shelter is a rock shelter archaeological site beneath a cliff in the Western Cape Province, where abundant evidence of human activity from approximately 70,000 years ago remains. The most distinctive feature of this site is the large number of ostracods (shell fragments) with geometric inscriptions known as "Haunoi scratch patterns" have been excavated. These are considered to be evidence of the existence of symbolic thinking and visual communication, and are attracting attention as an early example of humans beginning to have abstract concepts.
Furthermore, the multiple cultural layers are well preserved, providing valuable data for understanding changes in habitat and behavior over long periods of time.
The Significance and Achievements of the Pinnacle Point Archaeological Site
The Pinnacle Point ruins are an important archaeological site where numerous pieces of evidence have been found that show the use of marine resources and the evolution of stone tool technology by modern humans. Of particular note is the use of heat-treated stone materials discovered in a layer dating back approximately 160,000 years. This shows advanced technology for heating stone tools to make them easier to work with, and indicates that humans had the knowledge and ingenuity to influence the natural environment.
The utilization of coastal resources such as shellfish and seaweed has also been confirmed, revealing an early stage in which humans were adapting to the coastal environment.
Excavation history and major findings of Sibudu Cave
Sibudu Caves, a cave in the coastal hills of KwaZulu-Natal, has been the subject of continuous archaeological investigation since the 1960s. The cave has yielded numerous findings, including decorated shells, the use of red pigments, and tools made from plants and animals, providing evidence of cultural and symbolic behaviour.
Traces of ropes woven from plant fibers and tools for starting fires have also been discovered, providing important clues to the technological advancement of humankind. These discoveries strongly suggest that the diverse cognitive abilities and life skills of modern humans were already present during the Pleistocene.
Evidence for Behavioral Modern Humans
Traces of symbolic thinking and artistic expression
Pleistocene settlements in South Africa have provided clear evidence of symbolic thinking: the Diepkloof rock shelter has yielded numerous ostracods (shell fragments) with geometric inscriptions, suggesting the existence of abstract concepts and visual communication.
The Sibudu Cave also contains evidence of the use of red pigment (ochre) and decorated shells, which are believed to have been used for body decoration and ritual purposes.
these are,Proof that modern humans were already engaged in symbolic and artistic expressionIt is an important cultural imprint.
Advanced stone tool and tool making techniques
The stone tools excavated from the ruins in this region have functions that go beyond simple blades.The existence of planned and efficient production techniquesIn particular, at the Pinnacle Point site, it was revealed that advanced technology for heat-treating the raw materials for stone tools to improve their workability was already in use around 160,000 years ago.
Additionally, ropes made from plant fibers and needle-shaped tools made from bone and wood have been excavated from several archaeological sites, suggesting that the types and uses of tools were diversifying. This evidence shows that humans were adapting their technology to suit their environment.
Use of coastal resources and their cultural significance
Modern humansActively utilizing marine resourcesAnother notable feature of these ruins is that they were used for cooking and consuming marine resources such as shellfish, fish, and seaweed. At Pinnacle Point and Sibudu Cave, there is evidence that marine resources such as shellfish, fish, and seaweed were cooked and consumed. Such use of coastal resources led to adaptation to a settled lifestyle, diversification and stabilization of food, and was also the basis for cultural development.
Furthermore, seaside life is thought to have promoted social cooperation and the transmission of information, and influenced the development of human group structures, beliefs, and rituals.
The process of World Heritage registration and evaluation points
The registration process and efforts of the parties involved
After many years of archaeological research and preservation activities, the Pleistocene settlements in South Africa were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2024. The inscription was carried out with the cooperation of the South African government's cultural heritage agencies, university researchers, and the local community. Not only was the site's archaeological importance recognized, but the establishment of a sustainable management system with the cooperation of local people was also evaluated, and the contents of the nomination document were refined with advice from ICOMOS. The inscription is a result of recognition of the site's comprehensive value, including not only its academic and cultural significance, but also its contribution to raising local awareness and educational effects.
Details of registration criteria (iii), (iv), and (v) and their significance
This group of sites was recognised as a World Heritage Site based on the following three criteria:
Criterion (iii)
The site preserves cultural expressions such as symbolic behavior, religious rituals, and tool making that modern humans have been practicing for about 120,000 years.Outstanding evidence of an early stage in the development of human cultureThe use of inscribed shells and red pigments is of paramount importance in understanding the dawn of human spiritual culture.
Criterion (iv)
Heat treatment techniques for stone tools, advanced tool making, food procurement strategies, etc.Demonstrating prehistoric innovation and adaptive capacityThese technological vestiges were recognized as outstanding examples, demonstrating how modern humans responded creatively and deliberately to their natural environment.
Criteria (v)
Activities such as the use of marine resources and settlement in cave environments show how humans interacted with the environment and engaged in land use.Diversity and flexibility of human lifestyles during the PleistoceneIt has been praised as a symbolic example of the relationship between nature and humans.
summary
What did you think?
I felt that the Pleistocene settlements in South Africa were a very profound World Heritage Site that told the story of the process by which humankind became more "human."
Traces of abstract thinking, planned stone tools, and a lifestyle that made use of marine resources all seem to tell us that our distant ancestors already had wisdom and ingenuity.
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