Cultural conservatism and variability in the Acheulian sequence of Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov☆

Sharon, Gonen; Alperson-Afil, Nira; Goren‐Inbar, Naama

doi:10.1016/j.jhevol.2009.11.012

Cited by 94 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The continuous and long-lasting Acheulian cultural phenomenon at GBY is characterized both by technotypological conservatism of artefact manufacture and by great variability of the frequencies of lithic types in different archaeological horizons [11].…”

Section: The Site Its Location and Its Acheulian Characteristics (A)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is apparent in the material cultural as well (e.g. the techno-typology of lithic artefacts; [11]). …”

Section: Mapping the Hominins' Cognitive Abilities (A) Exploitation Omentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Basalt percussors range from boulders to fistsized pebbles, limestone pebbles occur in all of the archaeological horizons and antler percussors have been reported [18,45,57,58]. Although the production process reflects various technological strategies, the final large flakes were all modified into extremely homogeneous bifacial tools of similar sizes and shapes [11,31] (figure 5). Some of the giant cores are exhausted (figure 6), while others show only rudimentary treatment (fragmentation; figure 3).…”

Section: Mapping the Hominins' Cognitive Abilities (A) Exploitation Omentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The above characteristics are represented in all of the archaeological horizons either by the complete set of traits or in different combinations, providing evidence for a particular cultural continuum over at least 50 000 years [11], and probably more. The high degree of variability in the frequencies of giant cores, waste products and bifacial tools may reflect different functions in the various archaeological horizons [11].…”

Section: Mapping the Hominins' Cognitive Abilities (A) Exploitation Omentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The high degree of variability in the frequencies of giant cores, waste products and bifacial tools may reflect different functions in the various archaeological horizons [11].…”

Section: Mapping the Hominins' Cognitive Abilities (A) Exploitation Omentioning

confidence: 99%

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Culture and cognition in the Acheulian industry: a case study from Gesher Benot Yaʿaqov

Goren‐Inbar

2011

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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The Acheulian presence in the Dead Sea Rift and its environs is characterized by the discontinuity of its cultural manifestations. Nevertheless, the long stratigraphic sequences of the Acheulian Technocomplex provide a unique opportunity for synergetic examination along a temporal trajectory. Hominin cognitive and cultural behaviour are studied at Gesher Benot Ya , aqov through analyses of lithic, palaeontological and palaeobotanical assemblages, as well as the Early -Middle Pleistocene environment, ecology and climate. The study attempts to reconstruct reduction sequences of some major artefact groups at the site, which include raw material acquisition, production, technology, typology, usage and discard. Experimental archaeology illustrates artefact mobility on the palaeolandscape. Strategies of biomass-exploitation are studied in detail, with other aspects yielding additional information on hominin subsistence and adaptive responses to their environment. The cultural marker of fire and the spatial association of selected categories of finds are integrated in the general synthesis, allowing reconstruction of the cultural and cognitive realm of Acheulian hominins. The synthesis attempts to reassess the abilities, social structure, subsistence and adaptability to the changing environment of hominins in the Levantine Corridor.

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Section: The Site Its Location and Its Acheulian Characteristics (A)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is apparent in the material cultural as well (e.g. the techno-typology of lithic artefacts; [11]). …”

Section: Mapping the Hominins' Cognitive Abilities (A) Exploitation Omentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Mapping the Hominins' Cognitive Abilities (A) Exploitation Omentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Mapping the Hominins' Cognitive Abilities (A) Exploitation Omentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The high degree of variability in the frequencies of giant cores, waste products and bifacial tools may reflect different functions in the various archaeological horizons [11].…”

Section: Mapping the Hominins' Cognitive Abilities (A) Exploitation Omentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Culture and cognition in the Acheulian industry: a case study from Gesher Benot Yaʿaqov

Goren‐Inbar

2011

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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Oldowan/Acheulean Succession at Olduvai Gorge

Proffitt

Martín-Ramos

2019

Encyclopedia of Life Sciences

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The Acheulean techno‐complex was first identified in 1859 at St Acheul (France) and ever since then, understanding its development has been a prominent area of research within Palaeolithic archaeology. Although the oldest Oldowan and Acheulean are now found in Ethiopia and Kenya; Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, did, for a long time, provide the earliest examples of both industries, and it still preserves a detailed stratigraphic sequence of Oldowan and Acheulean assemblages. In this sense, Olduvai Gorge has played a central role in exploring the transition from the Oldowan to the Acheulean. Key Concepts The Acheulean appears in Kenya at 1.75 Mya. The Acheulean appears in East Africa chronologically after the Oldowan; however, there is a degree of overlap. The Oldowan is typically associated with Homo habilis . The Acheulean is typically associated with Homo ergatser/erectus . Historically, it was suggested that the Oldowan developed into the Acheulean, mirroring hominin evolution. More recently, it is suggested that the Oldowan/Acheulean transition at Olduvai Gorge was a punctuated event associated with the emergence of a new hominin species.

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