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SSStttooonnnyyy BBBrrrooooookkk UUUnnniiivvveeerrrsssiiitttyyy The official electronic file of this thesis or dissertation is maintained by the University Libraries on behalf of The Graduate School at Stony Brook University. ©©© AAAllllll RRRiiiggghhhtttsss RRReeessseeerrrvvveeeddd bbbyyy AAAuuuttthhhooorrr... Archaeological Investigation of the Buri Peninsula and Gulf of Zula, Red Sea Coast of Eritrea A Dissertation Presented by Amanuel Yosief Beyin to The Graduate School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology (Archaeology) Stony Brook University May 2009 Stony Brook University The Graduate School Amanuel Yosief Beyin We, the dissertation committee for the above candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy degree, hereby recommend acceptance of this dissertation. John J. Shea Associate Professor, Anthropology David J. Bernstein Associate Professor, Anthropology John G. Fleagle Distinguished Professor, Anatomical Sciences Steven A. Brandt Associate Professor, Anthropology University of Florida, Gainesville This dissertation is accepted by the Graduate School Lawrence Martin Dean of the Graduate School ii Abstract of the Dissertation Archaeological Investigation of the Buri Peninsula and Gulf of Zula, Red Sea Coast of Eritrea by Amanuel Yosief Beyin Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology (Archaeology) Stony Brook University 2009 This dissertation reports the results of archaeological survey and excavations on the Buri Peninsula and Gulf of Zula, Red Sea coast of Eritrea. Its primary goals were to seek evidence for prehistoric human settlement, and to define the geological, chronological and cultural contexts of the sites. The Red Sea Coast of Africa is thought to be an important refugium for humans dispersing from the interior of East Africa into Arabia and the Levant. Previous archaeological investigations in the Horn of Africa were mainly concentrated in the interior landscapes. Thus, our knowledge of human adaption on the African side of the Red Sea has been limited compared to the interior areas of the Horn. This project documented more than a dozen prehistoric sites representing Middle and Later Stone Age (LSA) cultures. A distinctive Middle iii Stone Age (MSA) occupation was identified from surface lithic evidence at Asfet. Prepared cores, points and blades on a variety of raw materials characterize the Asfet surface assemblage. Excavation of three selected sites (Asfet Unit F, Gelalo NW and Misse East) revealed LSA occupations associated with coastal economy. Blade production and microlithic technology characterize the LSA sites. Based on radiometric age determinations and lithic composition, two Holocene occupations are recognized on the Zula-Buri littoral: i) eighth millennium settlement at Gelalo NW and Misse East, and ii) a mid-Holocene or sixth millennium settlement at Asfet Unit F. Inter-site lithic comparison of the coastal sites shows clear directional change through time in core technology, tool design and raw material utilization among Asfet surface, the two older LSA sites (Gelalo and Misse) and Asfet Unit F. The observed directional change hints at a possible adaptive shift through time, from high reliance on stone tools at Asfet surface, Gelalo and Misse to less dependence on lithics in the later phase corresponding to the Asfet Unit F. Mollusk shells were the only organic remains discovered at the LSA sites. Specific shell types were found at the excavated sites. Atactodea glabrata, a small bivalve found buried in the sands of intertidal zone dominates the Misse shell midden, whereas the Asfet and Gelalo assemblages were represented by Terebralia palustris, a large gastropod living among mangroves and muddy substrate. The exploitation of specific shell types at each site suggests cultural choices that characterize specific human groups adapted to distinct coastal habitats. The results of this study provide valuable insight into human coastal adaptation of the Red Coast of Eritrea in the Late Pleistocene (Asfet surface), and Holocene (Asfet Unit F, Gelalo and Misse). This is the first systematic study to document repeated human occupation of the Red Sea Coast of Eritrea. Later Pleistocene and early mid-Holocene settlements along the Eritrean Coast may reflect humans moving to the coast during humid periods due to population pressure in the interior highlands, or during aridity-induced periods of ecological stress in the hinterlands. Further research is needed in order to further investigate the prehistoric potential of the Red Sea Basin on the African and Arabian sides, and clarify modes of human adaptive variability. iv Dedication For my parents, W/ro Okba Yosief and Ato Beyin Yosief, and my late uncle Ato Kidane Tedla for their relentless moral and financial support throughout my academic career. Table of Contents Abstract………………………………………………………………………… iii List of Figures…………………………………………………………………... x List of Tables…………………………………………………………………… xiii Acknowledgments…………….………………………………………………... xvii Chapter 1: Introduction......................................................................................... 1 Theoretical Orientation: prehistoric coastal adaptation ………………….... 1 Quaternary climate, sea level changes and coastal migrations ……….......... 4 The Red Sea Coast and adjacent regions ………......………………………. 6 Project Description ………………………………………...……………….. 12 Background ……………………………………………………..………….. 12 Research scope and methodology………………………….……………..... 13 Thesis organization......................................................................................... 17 Chapter 2: Physical Environment of the Study Region........................................ 22 Introduction .................................................................................................... 22 The Geological Background .......................................................................... 23 The Buri Peninsula ......................................................................................... 24 The Gulf of Zula ……………………………………………….………….. 25 The Red Sea Basin ......................................................................................... 27 Present habitat in the study region ................................................................. 28 A Review of Terminal Pleistocene and Holocene Climate of the Horn ....... 30 Chapter 3: The Site of Asfet: Survey and Surface Archaeology.......................... 41 Introduction.................................................................................................... 41 Geology and physiography ............................................................................ 41 Sediment characterization .............................................................................. 44 Survey strategies and surface collection ........................................................ 46 Site definition ................................................................................................. 48 Asfet Surface Archaeology ............................................................................ 50 Cores and miscellaneous tools ...................................................................... 51 Shaped tools .................................................................................................. 54 vi Flakes and flake fragments (Debitage)…………………………………...… 58 Raw Material Characterization ...................................................................... 63 Summary and Discussion of Asfet Surface Archaeology .............................. 65 Site formation process .................................................................................... 67 Chapter 4: Asfet: Excavation, Chronology and Subsurface Archaeology ........... 112 Introduction..................................................................................................... 112 Description of the Excavated Units ............................................................... 112 Unit F excavation ........................................................................................... 115 Asfet Unit F Dating ........................................................................................ 116 Unit F stratigraphy ......................................................................................... 118 Asfet Unit F Lithic Assemblage ..................................................................... 120 Cores .............................................................................................................. 120 Shaped tools ................................................................................................... 120 Flakes and flake fragments (Debitage) .......................................................... 121 Summary and Discussion of Asfet Unit F ..................................................... 122 Chapter 5: The Site of Gelalo NW: Excavation, Chronology and Archaeolog... 139 Introduction .................................................................................................... 139 Site setting ...................................................................................................... 139 Survey and surface collection......................................................................... 140 Description of the Excavated Units ............................................................... 141 Unit A (1x1m) ................................................................................................ 141 Unit B (1x1 m) ..............................................................................................