Oltome tradition

The Oltome tradition is the modern name of a prehistoric culture in East Africa . It is particularly attested in Kenya .

The Oltome people produced the oldest pottery to date in this region. This is decorated. In addition, stone tools made of quartz and obsidian were found at their settlement sites . Most of them are microliths . Bone tools were also used.

The Oltome people apparently lived from hunting, especially buffalo and hippopotamus, but antelopes, pigs and birds are also recorded. Fishing, especially crustaceans and lungfish ( Protopterus aethiopicus ), played another important role. Mussels were found in large numbers in different places. In general, clam heaps are typical of these people. Animal husbandry or agriculture have not yet been documented.

The dating of the Oltome tradition creates difficulties for research. Radiocarbon dates suggest it began around 5000 BC. BC, but these dates are controversial, while other studies point to the second and first millennium BC.

literature

• Peter Robertshaw: The beginnings of food production in southwestern Kenya : In The Archeology of Africa , edited by T. Shaw, P. Sinclair, B. Andah, A. Okpoko, London / New York 1993, pp. 358-71 (especially: 362-64) ISBN 0-415-11585-X