Terminal Pleistocene to mid-Holocene rainforest foragers in Sri Lanka: Multidisciplinary insights at Kebella-lena rock shelter

Abstract

Sri Lankan wet zone rock shelters play a unique role in the investigation of the global expansion of human activities and particularly microlithic phase adaptation to tropical environments. Kebella-lena, a rock shelter in the low-land wet zone rainforest of Sri Lanka, has yielded some of the evidence of Homo sapiens in South Asia. Our foragers were present at Kebella-lena from 13,000 cal. BP to the mid-Holocene. Our Data (faunal remains, botanical remains, lithic, organic and other evidences including paleo-floors with habitation debris) from the recent excavation of the site show that modern humans in tropical rainforests interacted with a diverse tropical setting from the Terminal Pleistocene to the mid-Holocene. This period corresponds with further broadening of the economic spectrum, evidenced though increased contribution of arboreal and semi arboreal mammals, invertebrate and abundant Canarium nutshells. According to analysis data, microliths are more abundant in Early Holocene phase and the microlithic phase had also persisted to at least the mid- Holocene in Sri Lanka. Bone tools, ochre and ornamentation is also documented. The findings of current study showed the continuation of the various attributes of the prehistoric culture from the Terminal Pleistocene to mid-Holocene.