Tracing the Lines: Empirical Approaches to Exploring Symbolically Mediated Social Behaviour in the Middle Stone Age

Abstract

This dissertation explores the social function of engravings found at the Blombos Cave and Diepkloof Rock Shelter archaeological sites dating to 70-100kya. I review the existing literature surrounding the purpose of these engravings, as well as previous empirical approaches to the transmission of Stone Age symbols and symbolic communication. Using a graphical iterated learning experiment, I tested if stylistic differentiation evolves under social pressure for group identification in such a way that facilitated novel observers’ classifications of the symbols into their respective groups. My results show increased stylistic distinctiveness between groups, suggesting that stylistic features emerge in socially referential communication as identity markers. However, my findings align with those of Tylén, et al. (2020), suggesting that the Blombos and Diepkloof engravings passively evolved distinct styles rather than actively selecting them as markers of group identity. These results contribute to the broader understanding of cultural transmission and social behaviour, as well as support the integration of empirical approaches and archaeological investigation to present a more robust account of early symbolic communication.