SPACE UTILIZATION, SITE PATTERNING AND RESOURCE EXPLOITATION AMONG PREHISTORIC PASTORAL GROUPS OF THE NAKURU- NAIVASHA BASIN IN THE LATE STONE AGE PERIOD

Abstract

The concept of space in archaeology has caught the attention of scholars interested in spatial attributes of sites. Exactly how much space prehistoric people needed for their activities is a question yet to be answered.  As it were, space in prehistoric settlements defined site patterning and resource exploitation. The amount of space required depended on the nature of activities that the people were involved in. Generally, prehistoric people exploited more of horizontal space than vertical space. Exploitation of horizontal space came as a result of procurement of environmental resources for subsistence use. It also arose as a result of other social activities such building of sheltering and ceremonial structures. This paper looks at space needs and site patterning by prehistoric pastoral groups during the Late Stone Age period in selected sites of the Nakuru –Naivasha basin of the Central Rift Valley of Kenya.

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By Ben N. Nyanchoga