The wooden artifacts from Schöningen’s Spear Horizon and their place in human evolution

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 121(15)

Published: April 1, 2024

Ethnographic records show that wooden tools played a pivotal role in the daily lives of hunter-gatherers including food procurement used hunting (e.g., spears, throwing sticks) and gathering (e.g. digging sticks, bark peelers), as well as, domestic handles, vessels). However, wood rarely survives archeological record, especially Pleistocene contexts knowledge prehistoric hunter-gatherer lifeways is strongly biased by survivorship more resilient materials such lithics bones. Consequently, very few Paleolithic sites have produced artifacts among them, site Schöningen stands out due to its number variety tools. The recovery complete spears sticks at this 300,000-y-old (MIS 9) led paradigm shift hunter vs. scavenger debate. For first time almost 30 y after their discovery, study introduces assemblage from 13 II-4 known Spear Horizon. In total, 187 could be identified Horizon demonstrating broad spectrum wood-working techniques, splitting technique. A minimum 20 weapons now recognized two newly artifact types comprise 35 made on split woods, which were likely activities. represents largest worldwide demonstrates key woodworking had human evolution. Finally, our results considerably change interpretation lakeshore Schöningen.

Language: Английский

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In Search of the Origins of Distance Hunting—The Use and Misuse of Tip Cross-sectional Geometry of Wooden Spears

Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 8(1)

Published: Feb. 13, 2025

Abstract The origins of weapons, and subsequent innovations, constitute a significant focus archaeological research, particularly for the Pleistocene period. Due to preservation challenges, inorganic components early such as lithic points, are often only artefacts survive. As result, archaeologists rely on proxies understanding performance function these lasting including experimental research ethnographic comparison. Within analogical frameworks, alongside use-wear fracture analysis, morphometrics key method in assessing whether point is weapon component. Early attempts use cross-sectional geometries points (or tips), making complete specimens weapons reference datasets, suggested clear demarcations between different delivery modes. Yet, studies have shown that there considerable overlaps. Recently, it was proposed basis tip geometries, earliest wooden spears, best matched thrusting spear use. Here we demonstrate measurement errors involved this classification, furthermore overlaps spears javelins (throwing spears) undermine define mode. If correct methods applied, would fit within both javelin categories, meaning not methodologically useful at time. We overview available archaeological, experimental, evidence propose currently support hypothesis technological capacity distance hunting place from least 300,000 years ago.

Language: Английский

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The gravity of Paleolithic hunting

Journal of Archaeological Science Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 59, P. 104785 - 104785

Published: Sept. 29, 2024

Language: Английский

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The archaeological visibility of chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) nut-cracking

Published: June 11, 2024

The earliest evidence for complex tool-use in the archaeological record dates back to 3.3 Ma. While wooden tools may have been used by our ancestors, its is absent due poor preservation. However, insights into possible early hominin can be gained from observing practices of closest living relatives, chimpanzees. By using stone hammers crack various nuts, chimpanzees leave a durable material signature comprised formal and associated diagnostic fragments. chimpanzee temporary, combination anvils create more enduring lithic record. This study explores assemblages with anvil use at nut cracking sites Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, technological use-wear analyses. Our results indicate clear differences density, fracture patterns, records between sites. New excavations six reveal that anvils' directly influences visibility examining nature signatures use, we formulate hypotheses about probability such behaviors being preserved identifiable Plio-Pleistocene

Language: Английский

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The archaeological visibility of chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) nut-cracking

Journal of Human Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 195, P. 103582 - 103582

Published: Aug. 29, 2024

The earliest evidence for complex tool use in the archaeological record dates to 3.3 Ma. While wooden tools may have been used by our ancestors, is absent due poor preservation. However, insights into possible early hominin can be gained from observing tool-use practices of closest living relatives, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). By using stone hammers crack various nuts, leave a durable material signature comprised formal and associated diagnostic fragments. chimpanzee temporary, combination anvils create more enduring lithic record. This study explores assemblages with anvil at nut-cracking sites Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire, technological use-wear analyses. Our results indicate clear differences density, fracture patterns, records between sites. New excavations six reveal that anvils' directly influences visibility examining nature signatures chimpanzees, we formulate hypotheses about probability such behaviors being preserved identifiable Plio-Pleistocene variability on different suggests Evidence likely underrepresented ephemeral percussive damage signature. It may, however, still possible, albeit challenging, identify

Language: Английский

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