100th century BCE
Southern African interior plateau
The Bambata Complex was a southern African Middle Stone Age techno-complex distinguished from Pietersburg chiefly by the greater amount of retouch on its tools. It occupied northern parts of the interior plateau from the Zambezi to the Orange River and Natal and comprised four regionally distributed industries. Its later stages may be as recent as 30,000 years ago and could overlap chronologically with the early Upper Palaeolithic of Eurasia.
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The Story
The Bambata Complex is identified through the amount of retouch present on its tools, which distinguishes it from the Pietersburg Complex. It was distributed across the northern parts of the southern African interior plateau, extending from the Zambezi toward the Orange River and Natal. Four regionally distributed industries are recognized within this complex.
Its earliest stages may have been contemporary with Pietersburg, but the later stages appear to have continued until approximately 30,000 years ago. This proposed duration would place the later Bambata assemblages alongside the early Upper Palaeolithic in Eurasia. The relationship is therefore one of chronological overlap rather than a simple succession.
The wider Middle Stone Age setting included varied hunting camps, base camps, hearths, and stone-built features. Bambata localities listed in the chronological table include Red Cliff, Zombepata, and Pomongwe in Rhodesia, with dates ranging from approximately 42,200 to 37,290 years ago in the examples provided. These dates illustrate the regional and chronological spread of the complex without establishing a complete sequence.
100th century BCE
Southern African interior plateau
The Bambata Complex was a southern African Middle Stone Age techno-complex distinguished from Pietersburg chiefly by the greater amount of retouch on its tools. It occupied northern parts of the interior plateau from the Zambezi to the Orange River and Natal and comprised four regionally distributed industries. Its later stages may be as recent as 30,000 years ago and could overlap chronologically with the early Upper Palaeolithic of Eurasia.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Bambata Complex is identified through the amount of retouch present on its tools, which distinguishes it from the Pietersburg Complex. It was distributed across the northern parts of the southern African interior plateau, extending from the Zambezi toward the Orange River and Natal. Four regionally distributed industries are recognized within this complex.
Its earliest stages may have been contemporary with Pietersburg, but the later stages appear to have continued until approximately 30,000 years ago. This proposed duration would place the later Bambata assemblages alongside the early Upper Palaeolithic in Eurasia. The relationship is therefore one of chronological overlap rather than a simple succession.
The wider Middle Stone Age setting included varied hunting camps, base camps, hearths, and stone-built features. Bambata localities listed in the chronological table include Red Cliff, Zombepata, and Pomongwe in Rhodesia, with dates ranging from approximately 42,200 to 37,290 years ago in the examples provided. These dates illustrate the regional and chronological spread of the complex without establishing a complete sequence.
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