Prehistoric Mining Of Mica Schist At The Tsodilo Hills, Botswana

This paper reports on what appears to be the first discovery of prehistoric mica-schist mining in southern 4frica. The mine concerned was found in a location very rich in rock art that is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Kalahari. The authors conclude that the oval pieces of mica schist that were found at the mine site were used by Khoisan peoples to scrape fatty tissue from hides that were to be cured. Radiocarbon datings seem to indicate that such ovals were used for at least 20 000 years.