Journal of African Archaeology· 2012Q1
The Antiquity of the Bow and Arrow in the Kalahari Desert: Bone Points from White Paintings Rock Shelter, Botswana
- 65citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2012year
Short summary
Bone point fragments found at White Paintings Rock Shelter, Botswana, suggest the bow and arrow was used in the Kalahari as early as 35–37 ka, with worked bone technology present at 45 ka.
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Key points
- Bone point fragments, possibly from reversible arrowheads, were excavated at White Paintings Rock Shelter, Botswana.
- New OSL dating indicates the oldest bone points date to 35–37 ka.
- Worked bone technology at the site extends back to at least 45 ka.
- Engraved points are discussed in relation to ethnographic evidence of decorated bone link-shafts.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
This paper presents new information on the antiquity of the bow and arrow in the Kalahari. Excavations at White Paintings Shelter (WPS) uncovered bone point fragments that appear to have been parts of reversible arrowheads that could have been used with poison. We present a sequence of nine new, internally consistent OSL ages that date specific soil horizons at WPS. These dates/soil horizons are related to the bone point finds. The oldest bone points are estimated to date between 35–37 ka, while worked bone technology extends to at least 45 ka. Several engraved points are also discussed in relation to ethnographic evidence regarding decorated bone link-shafts collected in the 1970s. Additional information includes the first description of a reversible bone arrow point, made by a person who used such points with poison in his youth.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Journal of African Archaeology, 2012 · DOI ↗
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Field: Archeology (Social Sciences)
ArcheologySocial Sciences