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The transition to farming in eastern Africa: new faunal and dating evidence from Wadh Lang'o and Usenge, Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Paul Lane ,
Ceri Ashley ,
Oula Seitsonen ,
Paul Harvey ,
Sada Mire  and
Frederick Odede
Paul Lane
Affiliation:
1Department of Archaeology, University of York, UK (Email: paul.lane@orange.fr)
Ceri Ashley
Affiliation:
2Cotsen Institue of Archaeology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
Oula Seitsonen
Affiliation:
3Department of Archaeology, University of Helsinki, Finland
Paul Harvey
Affiliation:
4Institute of Archaeology, University College London, London, UK
Sada Mire
Affiliation:
4Institute of Archaeology, University College London, London, UK
Frederick Odede
Affiliation:
5Department of History, Maseno University, Kenya
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Extract

The exploratory investigation of two sites in Kenya throws new light on the transition from a ‘stone age’ to an ‘iron age’. The model of widespread cultural replacement by Bantu-speaking iron producers is questioned and instead the authors propose a long interaction with regional variations. In matters of lithics, ceramics, hunting, gathering, husbandry and cooking, East African people created local and eclectic packages of change between 1500BC and AD500.

Keywords

AfricaKenyaLate Stone AgeIron Agefood productionceramicspotteryUreweKansyorehunter-farmer interactions
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 81 , Issue 311 , 1 March 2007 , pp. 62 - 81
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 2007

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