An empirical test of the relative frequency of bipolar reduction in Beds VI, V, and III at Mumba Rockshelter, Tanzania: implications for the East African Middle to Late Stone Age transition

► Mumba Bed V has been branded as both Middle Stone Age (MSA) and Late Stone Age (LSA). ► Experimental bipolar reduction produces more shatter than does freehand knapping. ► We track the relative amount of lithic shatter in Mumba's Beds III, V, and VI. ► In terms of bipolar knapping Bed V is similar to the Bed III LSA, not Bed VI MSA. ► Results consistent with other evidence that Bed V was earliest East African LSA.