Studies of early human occupation of Africa over recent decades have profoundly changed
how we understand our early ancestors, their inventiveness and adaptability. The spread of …

Despite the growing number of experimental studies of fire, there is still a lack of critical
information on the physical alteration of ash remains and its importance in the preservation …

The paper presents an overview of the current state of investigation of heated and heat-
treated artefacts from Pleistocene sites, the methods frequently used in such investigation …

In the Stone Age, the collection of specific rocks was the first step in tool making. Very little is
known about the choices made during tool-stone acquisition. Were choices governed by the …

The use of birch tar can be traced back to the European Middle Palaeolithic and is relevant
for our understanding of the technical skills and cognitive abilities of Neanderthals. Due to …

Heating stone to enhance its flaking qualities is among the multiple innovative adaptations
introduced by early modern human groups in southern Africa, in particular during the Middle …

Research into human uniqueness is gaining increasing importance in prehistoric
archaeology. The most striking behaviour unique to early and modern humans among other …

In archaeology, heat treatment of stone is the process of “making” a new material for tool
production. Its invention in the African Middle Stone Age was an important step in the …

Silcrete heat treatment, along with a suit of other innovations, have been used to argue for
an early onset of modern or complex behaviours in Middle Stone Age hominins. This …

The use of red ochre for utilitarian, symbolic and artistic purposes is widely documented in
prehistoric contexts. The absence of adequate red‐coloured raw materials influenced the …