The Italian Archaeological Mission in Southern Ethiopia: new data on the MSA site of Gotera (Oromia, Borana Zone). The MSA of eastern Africa plays a key role in the general discussion on the recent human evolution and dispersal of modern humans. In the frame of the current debate about modern human origin and behavioural evolution, “La Sapienza” University of Rome is running a project in Ethiopia to provide new data on the ongoing debate. The focus is the Gotera area, located in the Southern Ethiopia. This location is critical because of its position between the better-known regions of central Ethiopian Rift Valley in the North and Turkana basin in the South. Thus, this is an ideal region to test the presence of structured populations associated with specific cultural behaviours. The aim of this research is the reconstruction of settlement dynamics and exploitation strategies of human groups during the Late Pleistocene in an area poorly analysed, through the investigation of an open-air site and its stratigraphic sequence. The first investigation of the Gotera area took place between 1970 and 1980 by Chavaillon, before the reprise of the field activities in 2015 directed by Prof. E. E. Spinapolice. During four field seasons conducted from 2016 to 2018, a high concentration of archaeological materials (both lithics and fauna) has been found and recorded in surface in an area of 2km2. The discovery of the GOT-10 site in 2018 provided an archaeological sequence in a primary depositional context, yielding faunal remains, lithic implements, and structured fireplaces. Systematic studies have been conducted and are still ongoing that can return very high-definition results, to improve the still unclear picture concerning the adaptation / evolution of the first representatives of our species in this area. Furthermore, is an important reference point to better understand population structures in East Africa during periods characterised by the unstable climate.
The Gotera archaeological mission in southern Ethiopia: ongoing research in the Middle Stone Age site of Gotera (Oromia, Borana zone) / Fusco, M.; Asrat, S.; Aureli, C.; Zerboni, A.; Lemorini, C.; Gallinaro, M.; Spinapolice, E. E.. - In: ANNALES D'ETHIOPIE. - ISSN 0066-2127. - 35:(2023).
The Gotera archaeological mission in southern Ethiopia: ongoing research in the Middle Stone Age site of Gotera (Oromia, Borana zone)
Zerboni A.;Lemorini C.;Gallinaro M.;Spinapolice E. E
2023
Abstract
The Italian Archaeological Mission in Southern Ethiopia: new data on the MSA site of Gotera (Oromia, Borana Zone). The MSA of eastern Africa plays a key role in the general discussion on the recent human evolution and dispersal of modern humans. In the frame of the current debate about modern human origin and behavioural evolution, “La Sapienza” University of Rome is running a project in Ethiopia to provide new data on the ongoing debate. The focus is the Gotera area, located in the Southern Ethiopia. This location is critical because of its position between the better-known regions of central Ethiopian Rift Valley in the North and Turkana basin in the South. Thus, this is an ideal region to test the presence of structured populations associated with specific cultural behaviours. The aim of this research is the reconstruction of settlement dynamics and exploitation strategies of human groups during the Late Pleistocene in an area poorly analysed, through the investigation of an open-air site and its stratigraphic sequence. The first investigation of the Gotera area took place between 1970 and 1980 by Chavaillon, before the reprise of the field activities in 2015 directed by Prof. E. E. Spinapolice. During four field seasons conducted from 2016 to 2018, a high concentration of archaeological materials (both lithics and fauna) has been found and recorded in surface in an area of 2km2. The discovery of the GOT-10 site in 2018 provided an archaeological sequence in a primary depositional context, yielding faunal remains, lithic implements, and structured fireplaces. Systematic studies have been conducted and are still ongoing that can return very high-definition results, to improve the still unclear picture concerning the adaptation / evolution of the first representatives of our species in this area. Furthermore, is an important reference point to better understand population structures in East Africa during periods characterised by the unstable climate.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
