Luminescence dating estimates for the coastal MSA sequence of Hoedjiespunt 1 (South Africa)

Coastal adaptations have been considered to play an important role in the bio-cultural evolution of early Homo sapiens and their dispersal out Africa. In line with this assessment, recent years seen increasing evidence for exploitation seafood from Middle Stone Age (MSA) northern southern Yet, chronological control constitutes a key problem better understanding these behaviours, little well-dated origins late Pleistocene only few sites dated before 100 ka. The shellfish-bearing MSA site Hoedjiespunt 1 (HDP1), located Western Cape South Africa, is one localities tentatively Late Pleistocene. HDP1 has yielded 1.5 m stratigraphic sequence three phases occupation, each containing abundant lithic artefacts, shellfish, terrestrial fauna, ostrich eggshell pieces ground ochre. Analyses cultural zooarchaeological remains provided systematic gathering narrow range marine resources coupled stable coastal landscapes. Here we present first complete absolute chronology its entire by applying luminescence dating (OSL) quartz grains extracted carbonate-rich sediments. results show repeated human occupations during Marine Isotope Stages 5e-5c (?130–100 ka) at HDP1, suggesting successful integration ecosystems into regular repertoire behavioural modern humans no later than beginning