The Later Stone Age is composed of the early Later Stone Age, Robberg, Oakhurst, and Wilton and Smithfield technocomplexes (Mitchell 1973, 1993, 2005; Sampson 1974). Dating the Later Stone Age has been complicated since there are regional differences throughout South Africa. There are various chronological orders for the assemblages that were proposed. Excavations conducted by Garth Sampson (1974) and Hilary and Janette Deacon aided in establishing a chronological order that was supported by radiocarbon dates (Deacon et al. 1976; Deacon 1978, 1984). In a recent study, an updated chronological sequence was formed in which open-air sites were included and radiocarbon dating was performed (Lombard et al. 2022). Below is a visual representation of the Later Stone Age chronological sequence:
- early Later Stone Age: 19694-37254 BC
The early Later Stone Age is composed of microlithics which are yet to be identified into different industries or phases (Deacon 1984; Lombard et al. 2012, 2022).
- Robberg: 11195-17973 BC
The lithic assemblage is composed of microliths and cores, but there are also small scrapers. Along with the lithic assemblage, there are bone tools and bone pendants (Deacon 1978).
- Oakhurst: 6755-10839 BC
It is composed of the Albany, Lockshoek, Kuruman, and Pomongwan industries. The technological changes and preferences shifted to lithics of larger size for the Oakhurst Complex. Each of the industries for the technocomplex have morphological indicators and variations in their assemblages which differentiate them from each other.
Albany industry-lithic products include scrapers, flakes, and chips along with bone tool assemblages and beads produced from shell and ostrich eggshells (Sampson 1974).
Lockshoek industry- is composed of a lithic assemblage which includes side scrapers, end scrapers, and cores, but not much information is available about the bone assemblage (Sampson 1974a).
Kuruman industry– is composed of large sidescrapers and adzes (Humphreys and Thackeray 1983).
Pomongwan industry– is composed of circular style scrapers and an extensive collection of bone tools and beads (Sampson 1974a).
- Wilton/Smithfield: 2686-5834 BC/AD632-2948 BC
The industries are Coastal Wilton, Interior Wilton, and Smithfield. Both Coastal Wilton and Interior Wilton have three phases known as classic, developed and ceramic and include lithic, bone, and bead assemblages.
Coastal Wilton– has three phases (classic, developed, and ceramic). The Coastal Wilton is composed of various microlithic assemblages with small thumbnail endscrapers and various types of backed tools (Bousman 2005; Deacon 1984; Sampson 1974).
Classic phase- is defined by backed segments (aka crescents) and small scrapers such as endscrapers, convex scrapers, sidescrapers, and circular scrapers.
Developed phase- is defined by slightly larger endscrapers and straight backed bladelets, along with larger side scrapers.
Ceramic phase- is defined by pottery sherds and lithic tools similar to the Developed phase.
Interior Wilton– also has three phases (classic, developed, and ceramic). The industry is composed of a variety of backed microlithics.
Classic phase- is defined by backed segments (aka crescents) and small scrapers such as endscrapers, convex scrapers, sidescrapers, and circular scrapers.
Developed phase- is defined by slightly larger endscrapers and straight backed bladelets, along with larger side scrapers.
Ceramic phase- is defined by pottery sherds and lithic tools similar to the Developed phase.
Smithfield– is composed of macrolithics of unretouched flakes and microlithics like blades, bladelets, backed tools, and scrapers.