Lithostratigraphy of Border Cave, KwaZulu, South Africa: a Middle Stone Age sequence beginning c. 195,000 b.p.

Border Cave is well-known for its Middle Stone Age (MSA) sequence and associated hominids, as well as for the earliest demonstrable Later Stone Age (LSA) (c. 38,000 b.p.) strata in southern Africa. Detailed lithostratigraphic and sedimentological study permits identification of 8 Pleistocene sedimentary cycles, including 6 major cold phases and 2 intervening weathering horizons. The 2 youngest cold phases are associated with the LSA and have 8 ¹⁴C dates 38,600-13,300 b.p. By gauging sedimentation rates in finer and coarser sediments, duration of sedimentary breaks, and allowing for differential compaction, the excellent radiocarbon framework provided by 28 available ¹⁴C dates can be extrapolated to the 6 cold intervals and 2 palaeosols that are older than 50,000 b.p. These clearly span oxygenisotope stages 4, 5 and 6, placing the base of the MSA deposits at c. 195,000 b.p., Homo sapiens sapiens at c. 90,000–115,000 b.p. and the sophisticated, microlithic “Howieson's Poort” industry at 95,000 b.p. These results require radical reassessment of the age and nature of the MSA complex and of the earliest evolution of anatomically-modern people.     

An Analysis of Capitation for Mental Health Services

The major impetus for health care reform clearly seems to be the desire to contain the cost of health care. One of the major cost-containment methods proposed is capitation. Capitation poses specific problems when applied to mental health services delivery. This article discusses several of the major issues pertaining to the utility of capitation in mental health, discusses on-going capitation efforts, and provides an evaluation of capitation programs. Future directions for research on capitation in mental health are then suggested.     

Book reviews

D. W. Rawson: Labor in Vain? A survey of the Australian Labor Party, Longmans, Green & Co. Ltd., Croydon, Victoria, 1966, pp. 128, cased $2.75, paperback $1.95.

Ralph Gibson: My Years in the Communist Party, International Bookshop, Melbourne, 1966, pp. 268, $1.75.

Keith McEwan: Once a Jolly Comrade, Jacaranda Press, Brisbane, 1966, pp. 119, $3.25 and $1.95 (paperback).

John Wilkes, ed.: Australian Cities: Chaos or Planned Growth? Angus & Robertson, Sydney, 1966, pp. 138, $1.95.

F. B. Smith: The Making of the Second Reform Bill, Melbourne University Press, 1966, pp. 297, $6.00.

H. G. Gelber: Australia. Britain and the E.E.C.—1961 to 1963, Oxford University Press. Melbourne. 1966. pp. 296 + xii, $9.50.

Alan Stoller, ed.: New Faces: Immigration and Family Life in Australia, F. W. Cheshire for the Victorian Family Council, Melbourne, 1966, pp. 195 + x. $3.00.

Ian G. Sharp and Golin M. Tatz, eds.: Aborigines in the Economy: Employment, Wages and Training, Jacaranda Press in association with the Centre for Research into Aboriginal Affairs, Monash University, 1966, pp. 382 + xvi, $4.65.

Sir Solly Zuckerman: Scientists and War: The Impact of Science on Military and Civil Affairs, Hamish Hamilton. London. 1966. pp. 177 + xiii, $3.25.

Gerald E. Caiden: The A.C.P.T.A.—A Study of White Collar Unionism in the Commonwealth of Australia 1885–1922, Occasional Paper No. 2, Department of Political Science, Research School of Social Sciences, A.N.U., Canberra, pp. 371, n.p.

Michael Collins: The Land Boomers, Melbourne University Press, 1966, pp. 247 + viii, $7.50.

Enid Campbell: Parliamentary Privilege in Australia, Melbourne University Press. Melbourne, 1966, pp. 218, $6.00.

Anthony Clunies Ross and Peter King: Australia and Nuclear Weapons: the Case for a Non‐nuclear Region in South East Asia, Sydney University Press, 1966, pp. 111, $2.

Paul W. van der Veur: Search for New Guinea's Boundaries: From Torres Strait to the Pacific, A.N.U. Press, Canberra, 1966, pp. 176 + xii, $6.30. Distributor: Jacaranda Press, Brisbane.

Paul W. van der Veur: Documents and Correspondence on New Guinea's Boun‐daries, A.N.U. Press, Canberra. pp. 210 + x, $3.40. Distributor: Jacaranda Press, Brisbane.

J. P. Sinclair: Behind the Ranges: Patrolting in New Guinea, Melbourne University Press, 1966, pp. 230 + xvii, $4.75.     

I Like You,I Like Your Pottery: An Ethnoarchaeological Approach to Ceramic Distribution and Acquisition in Northeastern Ghana

This article deals with the myriad determinants involved in pottery distribution in northeast Ghana, considered from a theoretical perspective that integrates the materiality of vessels and the social, political and historical context where both communities and pottery operate in their daily practice. Hence, we develop a comprehensive research strategy that combines emic and etic views covering the multiple dimensions of pottery life history. In this sense, production units, technical traditions and the characteristics of the redistributive centres, as well as the strategies for pottery acquisition, are studied. Special attention is paid to quite varied aspects such as the physical properties of vessels and their performance characteristics, the reputation of both vessels and potters according to the consumers and the mobility and connectivity patterns found in the study area. On the other hand, interpretations regarding the historical and sociopolitical context of the region are emphasised, as well as the interethnic relationships amongst groups inhabiting the area.