Crystal Structure of the 20 <i>S</i> Proteasome from the Archaeon <i>T. acidophilum</i> at 3.4 Å Resolution

TLDR

Evidence from three Katanda sites on the Upper Semliki River shows a well‑developed bone industry in the Middle Stone Age. Artifacts dating to at least 90,000 years ago—including barbed and unbarbed points, a daggerlike object, and abundant fish remains—reveal a complex bone‑based subsistence specialization and behavioral competence comparable to upper Paleolithic Homo sapiens sapiens, supporting an African origin of modern humans.

Abstract

Three archaeological sites at Katanda on the Upper Semliki River in the Western Rift Valley of Zaire have provided evidence for a well-developed bone industry in a Middle Stone Age context. Artifacts include both barbed and unbarbed points as well as a daggerlike object. Dating by both direct and indirect means indicate an age of ∼90,000 years or older. Together with abundant fish (primarily catfish) remains, the bone technology indicates that a complex subsistence specialization had developed in Africa by this time. The level of behavioral competence required is consistent with that of upper Paleolithic Homo sapiens sapiens . These data support an African origin of behaviorally as well as biologically modern humans.