Symbolic Use of Terrestrial Gastropod Opercula during the Middle Stone Age at Porc-Epic Cave, Ethiopia
Symbolic Use of Terrestrial Gastropod Opercula during the Middle Stone Age at Porc-Epic Cave, Ethiopia
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DOI：
10.1086/589509
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发表时间：
2008-08-01
影响因子：
2.2
通讯作者：
Mienis, Henk K.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Assefa, Zelalem;Lam, Y. M.;Mienis, Henk K.
在埃塞俄比亚东南部的中石器时代的Porc-Epic遗址，已经产生了数百个陆生腹足动物Revoilia guillainopsis的鳃盖。每个这些盖有一个中央穿孔，和完整的标本类似盘珠。显微镜检查无法明确证实其作为微珠生产或使用。它们的考古背景表明，它们在该遗址的存在并不是自然过程的结果。直接加速器质谱法测定了三个来自不同地层水平的鳃盖的年龄，从大约33，000到43，000多年不等。盖骨并不代表人类的食物垃圾，但似乎是由中石器时代的居住者出于象征性的原因收集的。
The Middle Stone Age site of Porc-Epic in southeastern Ethiopia has produced hundreds of opercula of the terrestrial gastropod Revoilia guillainopsis. Each of these opercula has a central perforation, and the unbroken specimens resemble disc beads. Microscopic examination could not unequivocally confirm their manufacture or use as beads. Their archaeological context indicates that their presence at the site was not the result of natural processes. Direct accelerator mass spectrometry dating of three opercula from different stratigraphic levels has produced ages ranging from about 33,000 to more than 43,000 years old. The opercula do not represent human food refuse but appear to have been collected by the Middle Stone Age occupants of the site for symbolic reasons.