Dated back to the Middle Stone Age, the site contains extensive evidence of microlithic tools, bone, and faunal remains.

[1] Porc-Epic Cave provides insight into the behavior and technical capability of modern humans in eastern Africa during the Middle Stone Age.

Porc-Epic Cave is a Middle Stone Age site located between the Somali Plateau and Afar Depression.

It is also situated two kilometres northeast of Babo Terara and lies three kilometers south of Dire Dawa,Oromia, Ethiopia.

The presence of faunal remains from water-dependent animals, such as the reduncines and Syncerus caffer, imply that there was a source of water close to the site.

The vesicular structure and faecal pellets are evidence that termites were active in the cave at the time.

In the second phase, the calcareous clay moved upwards which formed cave breccia and limestone rubble.

On the basis that fauna was uncovered along with the lithic assemblage, the excavators of the site concluded that Porc Epic was a seasonal hunting camp during the fall and/or spring.

[6] In 1998, a collaborative project took place between the French MNHN and Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ARCCH) of Ethiopia concerning fieldwork on the site.

The use of different raw materials among grinding tools indicate that ochre was processed in the cave to perform a variety of activities and possibly served as a symbolic use.

[4] Other tools display linear impressions which imply they were used as a retoucher through scraping and strikes against lithic edges.

[2] Obsidian is a favored material for stone tool production and its movement can be traced from an archaeological site to the source.

The dominating material found during the excavations was chert, however, obsidian artifacts constitute 5.5% of total lithic assemblage.

Years later, a chemical analysis of the obsidian revealed three originating sources: Assebot, Kone, and Ayelu.

A taphonomic analysis revealed that humans were primarily responsible for the faunal carcasses and bone accumulation in the cave.

What lacks in skeletal remains, evidence of human habitation lies in tools, paintings, and animal carcasses.

The large assemblage of faunal evidence implies early humans accumulated the prey from other areas.