Atop Kasteelberg: Social Complexity in the Later Stone Age of South Africa

Abstract

Kasteelberg is a prominent hill and a famous archaeological locality on the west coast of South Africa. It has abundant evidence of pre-colonial herding practices. In this paper, I describe the Later Stone Age hilltop site of KBDe and its excavated remains. I argue that KBDe is merely one part of an extensive site that covers the summit of Kasteelberg, and which includes the previously published locality KBA. From the late seventh to the mid-eleventh centuries AD, the hilltop was used as a location for conspicuous feasts. Hilltop settlements often broadcast higher social status, and Kasteelberg may be the oldest example of such signalling in South Africa.