Space, material culture and meaning in the late Pleistocene and early Holocene at Rose Cave Cottage
Date
1995
Authors
Engela, Ronette
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Abstract
This study, based on material excavated at Rose Cottage Cave,
presents a new theoretical perspective for our understanding of the
southern African archaeological record dated to the Pleistocenel
Holocene boundary. Over the past twelve years, : NO contesting
models for interpreting the Pleistocene! Holocene boundary have
been proposed - it has been described as a period of cultural
stasis, on the one hand, or, as exhibiting continuous change, on the
other hand. This study departs from the position that this debate is
at a theoretical impasse.
Through the assumption of a theoretical framework that deals
concurrently with cultural representation and social strategy,
previously unrecognised aspects of the archaeological record are
investigated. t explore the r-ctlve constitutive role of material culture
and thus remove the false dichotomy between cultural form and
functional expediency. In allowing for the active role of human
agency, a model for the interpretation of spatial use is developer,
through the incorporation of the informative and constraining role of
previous spatial patternings. I recognise that meaning is actively
created, and exarnple the spatially and chronolcqlcatlv contingent
nature of meaning through the unique perspective that deep
sequence archaeological deposit offers.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts, University of the
Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for
the degree or Master of Arts.
Johannesburg, February 1995.
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Citation
Engela, Ronette (1995) Space, material culture and meaning in the late Pleistocene and early Holocene at Rose Cave Cottage, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, <http://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/22719>