What the study found
The study found newly discovered open-air archaeological sites along the Dorps River in the arid Karoo of South Africa. These sites show multiple visits to a favoured habitat during the late Holocene Later Stone Age, dated to about 3000–2000 BP (years before present).
Why the authors say this matters
The abstract says these sites help demonstrate human use of a region with uneven archaeological coverage. The findings indicate repeated occupation of this landscape during a specific late prehistoric period.
What the researchers tested
The researchers examined the archaeological landscape of Wolwekraal Nature Reserve in South Africa. According to the abstract, they identified open-air sites along the Dorps River and used them to assess evidence for Later Stone Age activity in the late Holocene.
What worked and what didn't
The identification of new sites provided evidence for repeated visits to this habitat. The abstract does not describe any methods-specific failures or negative results.
What to keep in mind
The summary available here is brief and does not describe the full methods, site counts, or detailed dating evidence. It also does not provide limitations beyond noting that the region has uneven archaeological coverage.
Key points
- New open-air archaeological sites were found along the Dorps River in South Africa's arid Karoo.
- The sites indicate multiple visits during the late Holocene Later Stone Age.
- The time range given in the abstract is about 3000–2000 BP.
- The abstract describes the region as having uneven archaeological coverage.
- No detailed limitations or negative results are described in the available summary.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Wolwekraal sites show repeated Later Stone Age visits
- Authors:
- John Parkington, Sue Milton-Dean, Ashley Christowitz, Stephen Wessels, Cédric Poggenpoel, Liora Kolska Horwitz
- Institutions:
- Department of Conservation, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, University of Cape Town, University of Cape Town, University of Cape Town, University of Cape Town
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-23
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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