RT Journal Article
T1 The first comprehensive micro use-wear analysis of an earlyAcheulean assemblage (Thiongo Korongo, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania)
A1 Bello Alonso, Patricia
A1 Rios Garaizar, Joseba
A1 Panera Gallego, Joaquín
A1 Rubio Jara, Susana
A1 Pérez González, Alfredo José
A1 Rojas Mendoza, Raquel
A1 Baquedano, Enrique
A1 Mabulla, Audax
A1 Domínguez Rodrigo, Manuel
A1 Santonja, Manuel
AB Probably, one of the biggest questions about the Acheulean is focused on the functional aspects of its lithic industry and, more specifically, its link to subsistence activities developed by hominins during the Early Stone Age. Historically, tecno-functional research on ESA techno-complex has focused on the role played by flakes and LCT in the processing of animal carcasses, but less attention has been payed to other possible activities related with subsistence and tool making. Previous traceological studies on African Lower Paleolithic lithic industries have shown the complexity of activities made with the earliest lithic tools, including not only the processing of animal carcasses, but also activities dedicated to processing wood, non-woody plants and underground storage organs (USOs). In this paper we present the use-wear results obtained from the analysis of the Early Acheulean lithic tools with potentially functional edges which are part of the lithic assemblage from the Thiongo Korongo archaeological site (TK) (Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania). The three main levels of the archaeological site, TKSF, TKLSC and TKLF, have been used as samples. From 466 lithic artefacts analyzed, 16 pieces present sufficient preservation of use related traces that are able to clearly identify the activities developed when compared with experimental reference collections. As a result, we have identified activities mainly related with the cutting and scraping of wood and non-woody plants, including USOs. In addition, some pieces have also presented traces indicating the processing of animal carcasses. These data provides important information about different activities developed in TK by early hominids, allowing us to make broader inferences about the different subsistence activities carried out during the Acheulean in Eastern Africa.
PB Elsevier
SN 0277-3791, ESSN: 1873-457X
YR 2021
FD 2021-07-01
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/4709
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/4709
LA eng
NO Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN)
DS Docta Complutense
RD 6 abr 2025