Unearthed potential: Reflecting on the past and shaping the future of Middle Stone Age research in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Zimbabwe is home to numerous well-preserved deposits spanning from the Earlier to the Later Stone Age. However, research on the Middle Stone Age has been limited, with most studies conducted during the colonial era. Following independence, economic decline and political challenges have led to sporadic research efforts, leaving Zimbabwe marginalised in discussions on Homo sapiens' origins. As a result, key questions about early human behaviours and adaptations remain unresolved. Renewed Middle Stone Age research could provide valuable insights into behavioural evolution, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of human origins and supporting polycentric theories of our species' emergence.