A typological study of the final Middle Stone Age stone tools from Sibudu Cave, KwaZulu-Natal

The final Middle Stone Age (MSA) stone tool assemblage from Sibudu Cave is characterized by sidescrapers, bifacial and unifacial points, hollow-based points, bifacial cutting tools and backed tools, including large, wide segments. The assemblage has been dated to between c. 33 and 35 kyr by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), but a radiocarbon date of c. 42 000 BP is also available. This Sibudu lithic collection shows that large backed tools can be an integral part of the final MSA because no Later Stone Age (LSA) occupation occurs at the site. Sibudu data contribute to discussion of local traditions in the final MSA, of dating the final MSA, and of the presence of segments in non-Howiesons Poort and non-LSA assemblages.