Time Periods
Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Time Periods
Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Location
About
Melkhoutboom Cave, located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, is a significant Later Stone Age archaeological site. Situated in the Cape Folded Mountain Belt, this cave has revealed a rich record of human habitation spanning several millennia. Key findings include evidence of domestic use with hearths, artistic contributions like cave paintings, and burial practices evidenced by child graves. The artefactual record shows a transition in subsistence strategies and tool technologies, particularly through the phases known as the Wilton, Albany, and Robberg industries. The cave's sequence illustrates shifts in environmental and social dynamics from the terminal Pleistocene to the Holocene, indicating a movement towards more sedentary lifestyles and diversified food resources. This site provides invaluable insights into the adaptation and evolution of human populations in southern Africa during the Later Stone Age.
Archaeological Features
Explore the unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site
Burial and Funerary Structures
Artistic and Decorative Features
Domestic and Habitation Structures
Environmental and Natural Features
Food Production and Processing Features
Historical Timeline
Journey through time and discover key events in this site's archaeological history
Plan Your Visit
Details
- Country
- South Africa
- Source
- Wikipedia
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