7th century – 10th century
Brandberg, Namibia
The Brandberg Culture was a later, scraper-dominated archaeological industry in Namibia that followed the local microlithic tradition. It is characterized by irregular steep scrapers and end-scrapers associated with bone artefacts and pottery. The industry was identified in the Brandberg, while related material was reported more widely across the territory. Its emergence followed the addition of pottery and copper artefacts to late microlithic assemblages.
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The Story
In the Brandberg region of Namibia, the microlithic Later Stone Age tradition continued until late in the first millennium AD. By that time pottery and copper artefacts had been added to the assemblages, marking a changing material context. The successor industry is referred to as the Brandberg Culture.
Brandberg Culture assemblages are characterized by irregular steep scrapers and end-scrapers, together with bone artefacts and pottery. This tool combination contrasts with the preceding microlithic tradition, in which small backed stone implements formed a central technological element. Related material was widespread in the territory rather than confined exclusively to the Brandberg massif.
The chapter presents the Brandberg Culture as part of a broader southern African pattern in which microlithic industries were replaced by scraper-dominated, non-microlithic series. The associated pottery and copper suggest a later archaeological setting connected chronologically with neighboring Iron Age developments, but the passage does not establish a direct cultural identity or mechanism of contact.
7th century – 10th century
Brandberg, Namibia
The Brandberg Culture was a later, scraper-dominated archaeological industry in Namibia that followed the local microlithic tradition. It is characterized by irregular steep scrapers and end-scrapers associated with bone artefacts and pottery. The industry was identified in the Brandberg, while related material was reported more widely across the territory. Its emergence followed the addition of pottery and copper artefacts to late microlithic assemblages.
Continue exploring
The Story
In the Brandberg region of Namibia, the microlithic Later Stone Age tradition continued until late in the first millennium AD. By that time pottery and copper artefacts had been added to the assemblages, marking a changing material context. The successor industry is referred to as the Brandberg Culture.
Brandberg Culture assemblages are characterized by irregular steep scrapers and end-scrapers, together with bone artefacts and pottery. This tool combination contrasts with the preceding microlithic tradition, in which small backed stone implements formed a central technological element. Related material was widespread in the territory rather than confined exclusively to the Brandberg massif.
The chapter presents the Brandberg Culture as part of a broader southern African pattern in which microlithic industries were replaced by scraper-dominated, non-microlithic series. The associated pottery and copper suggest a later archaeological setting connected chronologically with neighboring Iron Age developments, but the passage does not establish a direct cultural identity or mechanism of contact.