The Holocene Archaeological Sequence of Shum Laka Rock Shelter (Grassfields, Western Cameroon)
Files
Download Full Text
Publication Date
December 2001
Abstract
Until recently the Grassfields (western Cameroon), cradle of the Bantu languages, were an unknown zone from the archaeological point of view. The excavations of Shum Laka rock shelter by de Maret and his team brought the most complete sequence in West Africa, spanning the Late Pleistocene and the Holocene. After 20 millennia of microlithic tradition (Late Stone Age), a new culture, with macrolithic tools, polishing and pottery (Stone to Metal Age), slowly developed ca. 7000 B.P. onwards. From this early period on, forest hunting was associated with the exploitation of Canarium schweinfurthii. Around 4000 B.P., an industry with waisted axes, blades, and pottery had emerged. With a striking technological continuity, this culture survived throughout the Iron Age. Increasing importance and diversity of trees exploited through the “Stone to Metal Age” and the Iron Age suggests “arboriculture.” Regional comparisons show that, between 5000 and 2500 B.P., an original culture developed in the Grassfields and the Cross River basin.
Keywords
Cameroon Grassfields, Late Stone Age, Stone To Metal Age, Iron Age, Hunting, Aboriculture
Document Type
Article
Notes
African Archaeological Review, Vol. 18, no. 4 (2001-12-01).
Identifier
SFS0064085_00001
Recommended Citation
Lavachery, Philippe, "The Holocene Archaeological Sequence of Shum Laka Rock Shelter (Grassfields, Western Cameroon)" (2001). KIP Articles. 2442.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/kip_articles/2442
