Diepkloof Rock Shelter
Component of The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa
Overview
This serial property contributes to the understanding of the origin of behaviourally modern humans, their cognitive abilities and cultures, and the climatic transitions that they survived. It is composed of three dispersed archaeological sites, Diepkloof Rock Shelter, Pinnacle Point Site Complex, and Sibhudu Cave, located in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa. These sites provide the most varied and best-preserved record known of the development of modern human behaviour, reaching back as far as 162,000 years. Symbolic thought and advanced technologies are exemplified by evidence of ochre processing, engraved patterns, decorative beads, decorated eggshells, advanced projectile weapons and techniques for toolmaking, and microliths.
About Diepkloof Rock Shelter
Diepkloof Rock Shelter is a rock shelter in Western Cape, South Africa in which has been found some of the earliest evidence of the human use of symbols, in the form of patterns engraved upon ostrich eggshell water containers. These date around 60,000 years ago.
Read more on WikipediaSelection Criteria
(iii)(iv)(v)
Details
- Countries
- South Africa
- ISO Codes
- ZA
- Coordinates
- -32.3864, 18.4525
Stay Nearby
Diepkloof Rock Shelter
Attractions & Tickets
Diepkloof Rock Shelter
Getting Here
Diepkloof Rock Shelter