The Sangoan‐Lupemban and middle stone age sequence at the Muguruk site, western Kenya

Abstract Sangoan artifacts have been reported to overlie those of the Acheulian and to underlie those of the Middle Stone Age in a wide region of tropical Africa. Few detailed field studies have been undertaken, however, with the result that this important transition is poorly understood. At the Muguruk site in western Kenya, artifacts of the Ojolla industry (Sangoan‐Lupemban) are overlain by those of the Pundo Makwar Industry (Middle Stone Age). The Ojolla industry contains a heavy duty tool component, finely made lanceolate points, and a light duty component made up bifacially retouched flake tools. Flake production is by radial core reduction. The Pundo Makwar industry is composed primarily of flaking debris from radial core reduction and informal unifacial scrapers made on these flakes. The Muguruk sequence shows a pronounced shift in formal tool retouch techniques between the Sangoan‐Lupemban and the Middle Stone Age, but real continuity in the method of flake production.