Distribution and Typology of Late Stone Age Microliths in Kwara State

Microlithic technology is a hallmark of Later Stone Age adaptations across West Africa, representing a shift toward hafted composite tools that enhanced hunting efficiency and mobility in variable savanna and woodland environments. This study documents the distribution and typology of microlith assemblages from surface collections and available excavated materials in Kwara State, contributing to a poorly mapped sector of the Middle Nigeria Later Stone Age record. Twenty-three collection localities distributed across three agroclimatic zones within the state were sampled, yielding a combined assemblage of over six hundred microliths classified by geometric form, raw material, retouch pattern, and metric dimensions. Backed bladelets, crescents, and trapezoids constitute the dominant forms, with point microliths less common but present at woodland-edge localities closer to the Niger floodplain. Raw material variability correlates with proximity to known quartzite and chert outcrops, suggesting that site location was partly influenced by raw material availability. Spatial analysis identifies a concentration of microlith-rich sites along a northeast-southwest corridor that may reflect a seasonal movement route connecting woodland hunting grounds with riverine fishing localities. The study compares these patterns with published Later Stone Age distributions from Oyo and Ekiti states, identifying both shared and locally distinctive technological traits. It recommends test excavation at three high-priority localities to establish stratigraphic context and enable absolute dating. Keywords: microliths, Later Stone Age, Kwara State, lithic technology, distribution.