100th century BCE
Sudanese Nubia near Wadi Haifa
The Khormusan Industry, also called the Buhen Complex, was an early Late Palaeolithic lithic tradition of Sudanese Nubia. Its tools retained the Levallois method associated with Middle Palaeolithic technologies, while light-duty flakes, denticulates, and burins were common. Communities associated with it hunted large savanna and Nile animals and also fished. Known sites cluster near the Nile around Wadi Haifa, where arid conditions and inactive wadis may have concentrated occupation along the riverbank.
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The Story
The Khormusan Industry, also known as the Buhen Complex, is presented as possibly the earliest known Late Palaeolithic industry in the lower Nile Valley. Its technological character retained an archaic appearance because it continued the Levallois method of flake removal associated with Middle Palaeolithic industries. Light-duty flake tools were predominant, while denticulate pieces and burins were frequent components of the assemblage.
All known Khormusan sites lay very close to the Nile in Sudanese Nubia near Wadi Haifa. The associated communities hunted large savanna and Nilotic animals and also practiced fishing, linking terrestrial and riverine economies. At the time, the Nile was high but the local climate was arid and wadi streams were nearly inactive, a combination that may explain why occupation was concentrated along the riverbank.
The chronology of the Khormusan has been revised. Initial radiocarbon determinations suggested an industry beginning around 20,000 BC and ending around 16,000 BC, but two later dates of more than approximately 39,490 BC and more than approximately 34,000 BC indicate that it was essentially earlier than, rather than contemporary with, the Halfan Industry. Its ultimate development and relationship to preceding Middle Palaeolithic industries remain unresolved.
100th century BCE
Sudanese Nubia near Wadi Haifa
The Khormusan Industry, also called the Buhen Complex, was an early Late Palaeolithic lithic tradition of Sudanese Nubia. Its tools retained the Levallois method associated with Middle Palaeolithic technologies, while light-duty flakes, denticulates, and burins were common. Communities associated with it hunted large savanna and Nile animals and also fished. Known sites cluster near the Nile around Wadi Haifa, where arid conditions and inactive wadis may have concentrated occupation along the riverbank.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Khormusan Industry, also known as the Buhen Complex, is presented as possibly the earliest known Late Palaeolithic industry in the lower Nile Valley. Its technological character retained an archaic appearance because it continued the Levallois method of flake removal associated with Middle Palaeolithic industries. Light-duty flake tools were predominant, while denticulate pieces and burins were frequent components of the assemblage.
All known Khormusan sites lay very close to the Nile in Sudanese Nubia near Wadi Haifa. The associated communities hunted large savanna and Nilotic animals and also practiced fishing, linking terrestrial and riverine economies. At the time, the Nile was high but the local climate was arid and wadi streams were nearly inactive, a combination that may explain why occupation was concentrated along the riverbank.
The chronology of the Khormusan has been revised. Initial radiocarbon determinations suggested an industry beginning around 20,000 BC and ending around 16,000 BC, but two later dates of more than approximately 39,490 BC and more than approximately 34,000 BC indicate that it was essentially earlier than, rather than contemporary with, the Halfan Industry. Its ultimate development and relationship to preceding Middle Palaeolithic industries remain unresolved.
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