Paleoanthropologists have characterized the properties of rough stone materials selected and used by early Pleistocene tool makers at Acheulean sites on the Ethiopian plateau between 16 and 1 million years ago.
Hand ax made from sidestrike flakes (ac) and kombewa flakes (df) from Melka Wakena, Ethiopia. Image credit: Tegenu Gossa & Erella Hovers, doi: 10.1007/s12520-024-02072-8.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem said: “The two earliest stone tool assemblages, Oldowan and Acheulean, are now known to have emerged and proliferated within the East African Rift Valley.” Professor Herrera Hovers And my colleagues.
“The Oldowans (beginning 2.6 million years ago) introduced the obligatory use of percussion techniques, using various types of lithic supports (cobbles, nodules, pebbles, etc.) as percussion instruments to produce simple flakes. It represents a fundamental technological advance.
“The emergence of the Atyurs 1.75 million years ago probably marked major biological and behavioral changes in hominin lifestyles, often associated with improved cognitive abilities.”
In their study, the authors focused on: Melka Wakenaan early Achurian archaeological complex located in the south-central Ethiopian Plateau, at an altitude of 2,300 to 2,350 meters above sea level.
The site consists of several areas within a radius of approximately 2 km along the western bank of the Wabe River.
Preliminary investigations revealed the remains of animals, including 15 species of large vertebrates, some of which had human traces.
“Melka Wakena is one of the earliest known sites of high-altitude human habitation,” the researchers said.
“Evidence suggests that early humans made strategic choices based on factors such as rock compatibility, durability, and efficiency.”
“Melka Wakena's unique high-altitude setting provides valuable insight into how early humans adapted to their difficult environment.”
Scientists used advanced digital imaging techniques such as 3D scanning and photogrammetry to create highly detailed models showing the effects of stone tool use.
These models enable accurate analysis of wear patterns and surface changes and reveal that raw material properties have a significant influence on these changes, even under identical use conditions.
The findings suggest that early humans carefully evaluated the properties of materials when making tools, demonstrating a remarkable degree of technological foresight and adaptability.
“Our findings suggest that early humans were not simply picking up stones at random,” said Professor Hovers.
“They were making complex decisions about which materials were best for predictable needs, demonstrating a high degree of pre-planning and cognitive sophistication.”
of result appear in the diary PLoS ONE.
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E. Paisan others. 2025. Exploring early Acheulean technological decision-making: A controlled experimental approach to raw material selection for percussion crafts in Melka Wakena, Ethiopia. PLoS ONE 20 (1): e0314039;doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0314039
Source: www.sci.news
