ACHEULIAN SETTLEMENT ALONG LOWER VAAL RIVER, SOUTH-AFRICA

Artifact occurrences from the alluvial fills of the Lower Vaal Basin, South Africa, are summarized with reference to a revised stratigraphic framework for these deposits. The Older Gravels, Younger Gravels, and the Riverton Formation record the history of Cenozoic denudation in this region and demonstrate repeated climatic fluctuations both moister and drier than the semi-arid present. The settlement geography and geology of eight important Acheulian stone-tool collections from the Younger Gravels and lower Riverton Formation are described. These occurrences, known as Homestead, Larsen, Riverview VI, Newman's Pont, Canteen Koppie, Pniel, Power's Site, and Muirton, indicate Acheulian settlement on low terraces next to the main river, in channelways during low flow periods, and on low, rocky slopes adjacent to the floodplains. © 1978.