Comparative analysis of lithic materials recovered from Shurmai (GnJm 1) and Kakwa Lelash (GnJm 2) Rockshelters, Kenya

Abstract

This dissertation compares lithic materials excavated from Shurmai (GnJm 1) and Kakwa Lelash (GnJm 2), two deeply-stratified dry rockshelters located in the Mukogodo Hills of the Laikipia and Isiolo districts of Central-North Kenya. This analysis forms a key part of the reconstruction of the sequence of human occupation in the region back to the Middle Stone Age. Lithic components from these two sites are analyzed and compared in terms of their raw material, techno-morphological attributes, function, and styles. The analysis reveals that there are both differences and similarities in the raw material procurement strategies, morphological attributes of artifacts, and stylistic variations between the Middle and the Later Stone Age occupations at these two archaeological sites. However, there is little difference in technology and the functional attributes of the tools through time. The two sites indicate that from the Middle to the Later Stone ages the changes in the lithic industry were gradual.