The early Holocene layers of Rose Cottage Cave, Eastern Free State: Technology, spatial patterns and environment

The Oakhurst lithic assemblage of Rose Cottage Cave is dated between 9250 B P and 8160 BP and replaced a late expression of the Robberg Industry, dated to 9560 BP. The tardy arrival of the Oakhurst at Rose Cottage and at a few other sites in the eastern segment of southern Africa implies that the Rob berg may have persisted for longer here than it did elsewhere. The Oakhurst shows typological and morphological change through its short duration, whi ch also sees environmental change from mesic, cooler conditions than presen t to warm, drier conditions analogous to those of today.