Enkapune Ya Muto, Archaeological rock shelter in Narok County, Kenya.
Enkapune Ya Muto is a rock shelter located west of Lake Naivasha that contains layered deposits of Middle Stone Age and Late Stone Age materials buried under volcanic rock. The site preserves multiple occupation levels spanning different periods of human habitation.
This rock shelter was inhabited from the Late Pleistocene period through the Iron Age, with excavations in the 1980s revealing extended periods of human occupation. The discoveries trace a continuous human presence in this region across thousands of years.
Perforated ostrich eggshell beads discovered here date back roughly 40,000 years and reveal that early inhabitants wore personal ornaments. These findings show that artistic expression and skilled craftsmanship existed in this region during the distant past.
The site is located in a remote area, so sturdy footwear and extra time for exploration are recommended. Visiting with a local guide helps explain the different layers and artifacts found at this location.
Excavations revealed 18 distinct layers that show the transitions between different tool-making technologies across time. This vertical arrangement allows researchers to directly compare how crafting techniques changed from one period to the next.
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