April 14, 2026 report
by Krystal Kasal, Phys.org
edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan
Large, carefully shaped Middle Stone Age point made from obsidian, a raw material imported to Halibee 100,000 years ago, with fossilized plant roots adhering to the stone tool. Credit: Tim White
The study of ancient cultures around Ethiopia during the Middle Stone Age (MSA) time period is important for understanding how some of the first Homo sapiens lived and eventually left Africa. Unfortunately, there are not many well-preserved, open-air archaeological sites from the MSA, especially with both human fossils and artifacts. The Middle Awash study area in Ethiopia, however, is one of the few areas with a well-preserved treasure trove of artifacts capable of painting a picture of early human life in Ethiopia. A new study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reports on some fascinating findings from this region, giving clues into what life—and death—might have been like.
Archaeology in Ethiopia’s Afar Rift
The Afar Rift in northeastern Ethiopia is an archaeological hotspot where three tectonic plates are splitting apart, creating a new ocean. The area tends to host well-preserved fossils and is also home to several locations once occupied by early Homo sapiens and other hominins. The Middle Awash study area is one archaeologically important part of the rift, containing over a kilometer of sediment that preserves a record from the Late Miocene to the Holocene. Research projects on the region have been a multidisciplinary and international effort since 1981.
The new study focuses on the Faro Daba beds in the Dawaitoli Formation’s Halibee member, which holds a large collection of artifacts from the Late Stone Age which are slowly being revealed due to erosion. Dating methods have placed the region’s collection at around 100,000 years ago. Earlier work in the region yielded important fossils, but less extensive archaeological context.
Middle Awash study area, Afar Rift, Ethiopia, with horizontally exposed sediments in the foreground containing thousands of fossils and Middle Stone Age artifacts dated to 100,000 years ago. Credit: Tim White
Life in the Afar Rift
Around 1,800 piece-plotted stone artifacts larger than a centimeter were found, along with 132 animal remains. Between 65% and 82% of the tools were made from basalt, which is available in the region. There was also evidence that the tools were manufactured within that location. Although the area lacked obsidian, a small amount of the tools (<2%) were made from the material. The authors note that this may indicate trade with distant locations, but other possibilities exist, such as local sources which are now obscured.
“A variety of archaeological assessments have argued about MSA mobility, trade, and social relations based on raw material sourcing information. Extending such arguments is a recent claim of 13 km transport of ‘nonlocal’ cobbles by the Oldowan toolmakers at 2.6 Ma. However, such claims often downplay the fact that geologically rapid erosional erasure and/or depositional obscuration of more proximal outcrops of the same raw material with the passage of time can bias the results of ‘sourcing’ studies toward the more distant,” the study authors explain.
Evidence, including the animal remains, shows that the region was once a seasonally flooded, forested floodplain, which supported a diverse array of animal life. Findings included a large number of remains from monkeys, rodents and large cattle-like or deer-like animals. Fewer remains were found from animals like giraffe, reptiles, birds and large carnivores, such as large cats. Yet, no bones showed evidence of butchery or human processing.
“Also relatively abundant are large rodents and medium-sized bovids. Fossils of those taxa were closely examined by their specialist analysts (L.J.H. and F.K.). No butchery-related, or unambiguously humanly induced bone modifications were found, only the expected rodent gnawing, insect, and carnivore damage that are normal in such depositional settings,” the study authors write.
The team says that, because of frequent flooding, the site was likely occupied at short and recurrent intervals. However, the ancient landscape was a rich source of shade, food, and lithic raw materials, albeit shared with many animals.
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Three distinct deaths
Three partial human skeletons were also found, each showing different postmortem histories. The first showed signs of rapid burial after death. The team writes, “There is no evidence of perimortem damage, no carnivore or rodent gnawing, only extensive prefossilization termite damage. There are no humanly induced bone modifications on preserved surfaces. Available information suggests rapid burial without prolonged surface exposure, but comparisons with multiple surface-collected cercopithecid skeletons elsewhere at FD caution against concluding that this individual was intentionally buried.”
Another partial skeleton, which only consisted of a tooth and a few small pieces of bone, showed evidence of cracking, charring, discoloration, and fragmentation indicating burning at a high temperature. The team says it is unclear whether this occurred naturally, such as in a bush fire, or whether it was intentional cremation. They say cremation is unlikely in the time period and note that if this were the case, it would be the world’s earliest cremation and a mortuary practice not previously recognized in the Middle Paleolithic.
The last skeleton belonged to a smaller adult and showed signs of being ravaged by animals, with pitting, tooth scores and fractures present on the bones. The joints were also missing. The team describes the injuries as perimortem, meaning they likely occurred at death or very shortly after.
The study authors say that study at the Middle Awash site is ongoing and will likely reveal more about early life there.