Evidence for Pleistocene habitability and occupations in the Western Desert of Egypt, MIS 4 through early MIS 2.

Marcia F. Wiseman¹, Maxine R. Kleindienst¹ and Mary M.A. McDonald²

¹ University of Toronto, Canada

² University of Calgary, Canada

Although many have considered that the Western Desert of Egypt, the entire area west of the Nile Valley, was uninhabitable and uninhabited during MIS 4 through MIS 2—the 'Empty Desert Hypothesis'--evidence for the availability of water and, therefore, habitability does exist.    Lithic aggregates found during surveys in Dakhleh Oasis (Sheikh Mabruk Unit, 318 Unit) and on the bounding eastern escarpment and plateau above Kharga Oasis depression (Khargan Unit, originally defined by G. Caton-Thompson) likely relate to those times of potential habitability.    Such aggregates are assigned to the Terminal Middle Stone Age, and to the Khargan Complex.   These are thought to fall between MIS 4 and early MIS 2, most likely in MIS 3.   In addition, a few aggregates in Kharga can be considered as Later Stone Age (Aguz Unit), dating sometime in MIS 2.

References:

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