概括
东非的中石器时代始于18万多年前,比之前的估计更早. 这一发现揭示了中石器时代技术发展的远大古老.
科学领域:
- 古人类学古人类学.
- 地质时间学 (Geochronology)
- 考古学的考古学
背景情况:
- 中石器时代 (MSA) 是非洲人类进化的一个关键时期.
- 之前对MSA在东非起源的估计不太确定.
- 约会火山材料提供了一种可靠的方法来确定时间线.
研究的目的:
- 为了确定东非中石器时代的古代.
- 为了确定中石器时代技术发展开始的最低年龄.
- 为裂谷地区提供新的时间数据.
主要方法:
- 与的约会是在桑尼丁晶体上进行的.
- 样品来源于富含水晶的氏石和火山灰.
- 地质背景是埃塞俄比亚中部的主要裂谷.
主要成果:
- 三种年龄测定一致表明年龄在18万年前之前.
- 这个年龄适用于与中石器时代相关的火山材料.
- 这些发现确定了该地区MSA的最低年龄.
结论:
- 东非的中石器时代比以前认为的要古老得多.
- 许多MSA的技术创新都比较古老.
- 这项研究修订了我们对非洲早期人类技术历史的理解.
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