Gwisho

A series of mounds and hot springs in western Zambia with evidence of intense Late Stone Age (Zambian Wilton) occupation from about 5000-3500 years ago. The sites are of particular importance because of the preservation of organic materials in the spring deposits. Grass-lined hollows have been interpreted as sleeping places. Among the wooden artifacts in the assemblage were bows, arrowheads, fire-drills, and digging sticks. The microlithic chipped stone industry is of the Zambian Wilton type. Graves at the sites yielded some 35 Khoisan skeletons. The economy was based on hunting game but also on a variety of vegetables.

Group of hot springs in the Kafue Valley of southern Zambia, the scene of intensive ‘Late Stone Age’ occupation during the 3rd and 2nd millennia be. The sites are of particular importance because of the preservation of organic materials in the spring deposits. Grass-lined hollows have been interpreted as sleeping places, and there were traces of post-settings that probably represent wind-breaks. Among the wooden artefacts present in the assemblage were bows, arrowheads, fire-drills and digging sticks. The microlithic chipped stone industry is of the type usually described as ‘Zambia Wilton’. Graves at the sites yielded some 35 human skeletons which show that the Gwisho people, despite their relatively large stature, shared many physical features with recent Khoisan-speaking populations. These people’s economy was based upon hunting the rich game herds of the Kafiie Flats, but a wide variety of vegetable foods was also collected.