Reassessment of the Early Acheulean at EN1-Noolchalai (Ancient RHS-Mugulud) in Peninj (Lake Natron, Tanzania)

Yustos

Uribelarrea

et al. 2015

Sci Rep

167

100

The appearance of the Acheulean is one of the hallmarks of human evolution. It represents the emergence of a complex behavior, expressed in the recurrent manufacture of large-sized tools, with standardized forms, implying more advance forethought and planning by hominins than those required by the precedent Oldowan technology. The earliest known evidence of this technology dates back to c. 1.7 Ma. and is limited to two sites (Kokiselei [Kenya] and Konso [Ethiopia]), both of which lack functionally-associated fauna. The functionality of these earliest Acheulean assemblages remains unknown. Here we present the discovery of another early Acheulean site also dating to c. 1.7 Ma from Olduvai Gorge. This site provides evidence of the earliest steps in developing the Acheulean technology and is the oldest Acheulean site in which stone tools occur spatially and functionally associated with the exploitation of fauna. Simple and elaborate large-cutting tools (LCT) and bifacial handaxes co-exist at FLK West, showing that complex cognition was present from the earliest stages of the Acheulean. Here we provide a detailed technological study and evidence of the use of these tools on the butchery and consumption of fauna, probably by early Homo erectus sensu lato.

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Origin of The Acheulean: The 1.7 Million-Year-Old Site of FLK West, Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania)

Yustos

Uribelarrea

et al. 2015

Sci Rep

167

100

“…), the preferential production of large flakes and a variety of LCT forms at EF‐HR (Olduvai) and Lepolosi and Noolchalai (Peninj) (de la Torre & Mora ; Diez‐Martín et al . , c), the presence of low percentages of LCTs and large flake blanks (SHKE, this paper) combined or not with prepared medium‐sized cores at SHKM, BK (Olduvai), Garba IV and Gadeb 2E (Ethiopia) (de la Torre ; Gallotti ; Sánchez‐Yustos et al . ) and the exclusive presence of prepared cores at Nyabusosi (Uganda) (Texier ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…; Diez‐Martín et al . ,c, ). This ability accords with the diverse collection of LCTs retrieved from SHKE that includes a variety of formal types, some of them showing a high degree of tool configuration through invasive series of volumetric treatment (handaxes) and some others exhibiting more casual shaping strategies (knives and pointed forms), all of them produced preferentially in quartz on large flake blanks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…), including the classical sites of ES2‐Lepolosi and EN1‐Noolchalai, where abundant accumulations of LCTs and large flake preforms have been excavated (Diez‐Martín et al . , c), the Type Section lithic collections proximal to the lake largely consist of small‐ and medium‐sized cores and flakes with no sign of preparation or predetermination, and a remarkably residual presence of LCTs, large flakes and LCT resharpening flakes (Diez‐Martín et al . ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

SHKExtension: a new archaeological window in theSHKfluvial landscape of Middle BedII(Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania)

Fraile

Uribelarrea

et al. 2017

Boreas

Self Cite

In this paper, we present the results of new archaeological and geological research carried out in SHK Extension, a new site excavatedwithin the SHK fluvial complex (Bed II, Olduvai Gorge). The paper describes the stratigraphy of the site and its correlation with our excavation in SHK Main Site, showing that overbank archaeological accumulations in both areas are synchronous and form part of the same fluvial palaeo-landscape. On the basis of the archaeostratigraphical analysis performed, mainly geared towards defining high-resolution chrono-stratigraphical frameworks within the deposit, we report the results of a technological study of the lithic collection sorted by archaeo-units, an assessment of the integrity of the main accumulation and an exhaustive lithic refitting programme. The archaeological sequence at SHK Extension, consisting of three archaeo-units, preserves a high-density patch of lithics and fossil bones (Level B2), on an overbank setting, isochronous with the SHK Main site. The high percentage of small lithic remains and bones, large number of fresh archaeological materials, and the identification of several refit sets support the integrity of the anthropogenic accumulation documented in Level B2. The main technological trait of the lithic assemblage from this level is the preservation of a qualitatively significant sample of large flakes and LCTs. The technological behaviours observed in SHKE, in the frameworkof the SHK complex, confirm that the complex web of inter-assemblage variability during Bed II times operated also in very close fractions of the same palaeo-landscape. This reinforces the idea that subtle functional parameters must be taken into account in our current assessment of the Developed Oldowan/Acheulean interface.Fernando Diez-Mart ın (fernando.diez.martin@uva.es),

“…; de la Torre ; de la Torre & Mora ; Delagnes & Roche ; Roche ; Diez‐Martín et al . , , , , b; Stout et al . ; Gallotti ; Sánchez‐Yustos et al .…”

unclassified

Diversity and significance of core preparation in the Developed Oldowan technology: reconstructing the flaking processes at SHK and BK (Middle‐Upper Bed II, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania)

Sánchez-Yustos

Domı́nguez-Rodrigo

et al. 2017

Boreas

Self Cite

Core preparation has been documented in Developed Oldowan assemblages dated between 1.5–1.3 Ma. However, its correct identification and significance is a matter of debate. In order to shed light on this issue, this paper attempts to reconstruct the flake production processes of the lithic assemblages currently recovered in SHK and BK at Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania). The methodological approach applied for the study of these two classical Developed Oldowan sites is based on the analysis and classification of flaking cores through detailed diacritical and technological descriptions, regardless of aprioristic morphological considerations. The flake production processes identified in both assemblages exhibit great technological homogeneity. The most remarkable difference between them is linked with divergences in flake size production. Core rotation and elongation of the perimeter of the flaked surface were the main technical actions implemented to manage core reduction, and seem to be related to reduction intensity. Core preparation, specifically striking platform preparation, was also applied, but to a minor extent, and was linked with a more effective management of blank reduction. It was not carried out through rigid technical and geometric schemes, and the products obtained were not predetermined. Nevertheless, its mere presence in Developed Oldowan sites is very suggestive, as it confirms a strong relationship between the Developed Oldowan and early Acheulean assemblages.