Activity Areas at Gvjm 47, Lukenya Hill an Assemblage Composition and Site Structure Analysis

Abstract

Pastoral Neolithic (PN) sites in Eastern Africa represent the earliest settlements. Middens at such sites attest to prolonged occupation by social groups with a predominately lithic technology. In the absence of architectural remains at such sites, little is known about the organisation of activities across PN sites. Researchers have been unable to ascribe tool kits to specific activities. This has largely been attributed to the fact that intensely used areas are cleaned and cultural material, including tool sets, have .been removed and discarded in secondary refuse middens. Such material is thus found in secondary context. This study, using micro-debitage and other utility debris left behind after cleaning, has been able to trace the larger artifact classes associated with the micro-debitage and utility debris left at the primary contexts after cleaning. The utility of reduction analysis as a typological tool has been demonstrated Curation, use and modification of tools generate unique waste products. The location on the site and density of such products has also been used as an indicator of different activities. This study is a departure from the traditional activity model and opens a new pathway for the identification of activity areas at PN sites.