Fauresmith (industry)

Selected Fauresmith sites from the ROAD database (CC BY-SA 4.0 ROCEEH)

In archaeology, Fauresmith industry is a stone tool industry that is transitional between the Acheulian and the Middle Stone Age. It is at the end of the Acheulian or beginning of the Middle Stone Age.^[1] It is named after the town of Fauresmith in South Africa. The Fauresmith is found at a number of other archaeological sites such as Wonderwerk Cave and Kathu Pan where it is potentially dated to at least 420,000 years ago. The Fauresmith consists of Middle Stone Age technology such as blades, points and prepared core technology as well as retaining handaxes from the Acheulian. The type sites are Brakfontein 321 and Riverview Estates Site VI.^[2] The Fauresmith culture shows Levalloisean influence, with hand-axes and flakes with faceted striking platforms.^[3] It is largely in the similar period with the Sangoan industry.^[4]

References

1. Herries, Andy IR (2011). "A Chronological Perspective on the Acheulian and Its Transition to the Middle Stone Age in Southern Africa: The Question of the Fauresmith". International Journal of Evolutionary Biology. 2011: 961401. doi:10.4061/2011/961401. PMC 3139141. PMID 21785711.
2. Van Riet Lowe 1937
3. Langer, William L., ed. (1972). An Encyclopedia of World History (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. pp. 9. ISBN 0-395-13592-3.
4. "Fauresmith industry | prehistoric toolmaking | Britannica".