2026-06-29T07:30:51Zhttps://docta.ucm.es/rest/oai/requestoai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/1244452025-10-01T23:58:27Zcom_20.500.14352_14col_20.500.14352_15
Reconstructing Skills and Strategies of Hominins During the Early Acheulean: Behavioral Flexibility in Handaxe Production at Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania)
Akhilesh, Kumar
Rubio Jara, Susana
Panera Gallego, Joaquín
Santonja, Manuel
Pérez González, Alfredo José
Domínguez Rodrigo, Manuel
Bello-Alonso, Patricia
Pappu, Shanti
902.7: Prehistoria
Acheulean
Olduvai Gorge
Thiongo Korongo site
Experimental knapping
Handaxes
Naibor Soit Quartzite
Humanidades
Prehistoria
5504.05 Prehistoria
Technological strategies for biface manufacture adopted during the Acheulean represent a significant shift in the Lower Palaeolithic.The appearance of intentional bifacial shaping indicates the imposition of form on stone tools not seen previously. Despite this importance, there is considerable scope for research into hominin decision-making while factoring in the differential properties
of varied raw materials. Here, we discuss the results of an experimental knapping program of Acheulean handaxes on Naibor Soitquartzites (NSQ), aiming at investigating technological strategies observed at the Lower Floor TK Site (TKLF), Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. We examine the unique properties of the NSQ raw material and the challenges faced during knapping slabs at various
stages of the handaxe reduction sequence. We explore how the selection and extraction of suitable slabs for handaxe manufacture and the impact of specific geological structures within this raw material determine the final artefact form. We note the effect this had on the need for careful choices in selecting suitable slabs at the raw material sources based on considerations of the properties
of the slab, thickness, and width, amongst other factors. Functional requirements and the NSQ slabs’ properties influenced strategies adopted for handaxe façonnage and the final tool morphology. We discuss choices made by Acheulean toolmakers when they adopted freehand and bipolar knapping techniques. These decisions can be identified through the nature of the debitage generated
and the organization of flake scars on handaxes. We suggest that Acheulean hominins displayed high skill levels and evolved knapping strategies. These strategies allowed them to adapt to the complex task of implementing specific shaping techniques on NSQ slabs. This provides one of the few experimental studies that directly explore the impact of the particular requirements of
flaking quartzites during the Acheulean. This study contributes to understanding the diversity of strategies and behavioral flexibility exhibited by Acheulean hominins.
CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature
Depto. de Prehistoria, Historia Antigua y Arqueología
Fac. de Geografía e Historia
TRUE
pub
2025-10-01T17:22:27Z
2025-10-01T17:22:27Z
2025
journal article
VoR
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124445
XXXX-XXXX
10.1007/s41982-025-00224-3
eng
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/AEI/Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2013-2016/HAR2017-82463-C4-2-P/ES/ECONOMIA DE MATERIAS PRIMAS, PATRONES DE CONDUCTA Y OCUPACION DEL TERRITORIO ASOCIADOS AL DESARROLLO TECNOLOGICO EN LA GARGANTA DE OLDUVAI (TANZANIA). 2/
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/AEI/Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2021-2023/PID2023-146260NB-C22/ES/EL COMPORTAMIENTO SOCIOESPACIAL DE GRUPOS HUMANOS CON TECNOLOGIA ACHELENSE EN LA GARGANTA DE OLDUVAI/
Akhilesh, K., Rubio-Jara, S., Panera, J. et al. Reconstructing Skills and Strategies of Hominins During the Early Acheulean: Behavioral Flexibility in Handaxe Production at Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania). J Paleo Arch 8, 27 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41982-025-00224-3
open access
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east=35.35503387451172; north=-3.0431543832512715; name=B144, Tanzania
Springer