Space, material culture and meaning in the late Pleistocene and early Holocene at Rose Cave Cottage

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.