Redefining the Drivers of Early Human Innovation

A groundbreaking study published in January 2026 in Communications Earth & Environment has reshaped our understanding of early human technological advances in Southern Africa. Researchers led by Francesco d’Errico from the University of Bergen’s SapienCE Centre and collaborators from the University of Bordeaux and University of Exeter analyzed high-resolution pollen data from deep-sea cores off South Africa’s coasts. Their findings reveal that innovations during the Middle Stone Age (MSA), such as the Still Bay and Howiesons Poort technocomplexes, were primarily fueled by human mobility and social networks rather than climatic shifts alone.

This research spans 180,000 to 30,000 years ago, overlapping with key periods of Homo sapiens behavioral modernity. By integrating ecological reconstructions with archaeological evidence from iconic South African sites like Sibudu Cave and Blombos Cave, the study demonstrates how varying environmental conditions prompted diverse adaptive strategies. Stable, humid periods fostered local communities and symbolic behaviors, while unstable landscapes encouraged long-distance travel and knowledge exchange.

Southern Africa, home to the richest MSA record globally, continues to be a focal point for paleoanthropological research. South African institutions like the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and University of Cape Town (UCT) have pioneered excavations at these sites, providing the foundational data that international teams build upon.

The Middle Stone Age: Origins of Modern Behavior

The Middle Stone Age, roughly 300,000 to 40,000 years ago, marks the emergence of behaviors defining modern humans, including advanced toolmaking, symbolic expression, and complex hunting strategies. In Southern Africa, this era saw pulsed innovations: the Still Bay (~76,000–67,000 years ago) with finely crafted bifacial points and engraved ochre, and the Howiesons Poort (~68,000–64,000 years ago) featuring small blades, backed tools, and possible bow-and-arrow components.

These technocomplexes represent leaps in technology, suggesting cognitive advances like planning and abstract thinking. Previously, scholars attributed them to climatic stress forcing adaptation. However, the new study challenges this, showing innovations occurred under both favorable and challenging conditions, pointing to social dynamics as the true catalyst.

South Africa’s paleoanthropology legacy, driven by Wits’ Evolutionary Studies Institute and UCT’s Human Evolution Research Institute (HERI), has unearthed evidence from sites like Sibudu (excavated by Lyn Wadley at Wits) and Blombos (led by Christopher Henshilwood, affiliated with UCT and Bergen). These discoveries position SA universities as global leaders in human origins research.

Methods: Reconstructing Ancient Ecosystems

The team used pollen from two deep-sea cores—MD96-2048 (eastern coast) and MD96-2098 (western coast)—to map vegetation shifts. Glacial phases (e.g., MIS 4) were cooler and wetter, expanding Fynbos shrublands and Afromontane forests. Interglacials were drier, favoring Nama-Karoo grasslands.

These marine records provide a sub-continental view, contrasting localized terrestrial data biased by taphonomy. Aligned with faunal proxies and archaeological chronologies via Chronomodel, the data reveal no uniform climate-innovation link. For instance, long stable periods showed stasis, underscoring social factors.

This interdisciplinary approach exemplifies collaborations between European and South African researchers, with d’Errico’s prior work with Wits’ Wadley on Sibudu bone tools highlighting SA’s pivotal role.

Still Bay Technocomplex: Innovation in Stability

Emerging near the MIS 5a/4 transition (~76–67 ka), Still Bay tools—symmetrical bifacial points—appeared during humid, productive conditions. Sites like Blombos Cave yielded engraved ochre and shell beads, indicating symbolic culture.

High resource availability likely supported sedentary groups, fostering local knowledge sharing and cultural norms. Uniform tool styles suggest standardized production within communities, not widespread mobility.

Christopher Henshilwood’s UCT/Bergen team at Blombos has been instrumental, linking these artifacts to early modern cognition.

Howiesons Poort: Mobility Fuels Spread

~68–64 ka, amid climatic instability, Howiesons Poort tools spread rapidly across Southern Africa. Standardized blades and segments (possible arrowheads) at distant sites like Sibudu, Border Cave, and Klasies River imply intergroup exchange over hundreds of kilometers.

Unpredictable ecosystems fragmented habitats, prompting mobility for resources and mates. Social networks transmitted ideas, accelerating innovation.

Lyn Wadley’s Wits excavations at Sibudu revealed compound adhesives for hafting, showcasing advanced planning—evidence d’Errico analyzed collaboratively.

Mobility and Social Networks: The Human Edge

Humans’ unique adaptability stemmed from metapopulation structures: refugia during harsh times, expansion in good ones. Mobility connected groups, exchanging raw materials (e.g., silcrete from 400km away) and ideas.

Social learning—imitation, teaching—amplified innovations. In unstable times, risk-pooling via networks was vital; stability allowed specialization.

This mirrors SA research at Wits’ ESI, studying hunter-gatherer networks via isotope analysis.

Beyond Climate: Rethinking Evolution Narratives

Traditional models tied MSA pulses to arid phases forcing ingenuity. Yet, the study shows Still Bay in wet phases, Howiesons Poort in transitions—diverse pathways.

Stable eras without change highlight that plenty can stifle innovation if networks stagnate. Modern parallels: Inuit vs. Norse in Greenland.

South Africa’s Universities Lead Global Paleo Research

SA boasts world-class paleo centers. Wits’ Evolutionary Studies Institute houses Sterkfontein fossils and MSA labs; UCT’s HERI integrates archaeology, genetics. Collaborations with d’Errico et al. amplify impact.

Programs in paleoanthropology train next generation, with fieldwork at Cradle of Humankind. For careers, explore higher ed jobs in archaeology.

Implications for Human Evolution and Today

Findings underscore social connectivity’s role in resilience, relevant to climate adaptation. SA’s fossil-rich landscapes make it indispensable for origins studies.

Future: Integrate genetics, isotopes for network mapping.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Careers in Paleoanthropology: Opportunities in South Africa

SA universities seek lecturers, researchers in paleo. Wits, UCT offer postdocs. Check university jobs, higher ed jobs, SA academic positions. Career advice for aspiring archaeologists.

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