Early Stone Tool Technology in Hominin Evolution
Early Stone Tool Technology in Hominin Evolution
- Emma FinestoneEmma FinestoneAssistant Curator, Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Summary
The appearance of the first stone artifacts in the archaeological record marked a significant behavioral shift in hominin evolution. Historically, early tools were attributed exclusively to toolmakers belonging to the genus Homo. However, subsequent discoveries have pushed back the origin of stone tools to precede the appearance of early Homo in the fossil record. The chronology and distribution of early archaeological sites suggest that cumulative lithic culture was not a behavior practiced by a single hominin species but instead emerged across multiple taxa over time.
The precise taxonomic identities of early tool users remain uncertain. It is possible that members of the hominin genera Homo, Paranthropus, and perhaps Australopithecus all engaged in tool-assisted foraging. These genera coincide with the time frame and regions where Early Stone Age tools are found. Fossils attributed to Homo and Paranthropus often co-occur at the same Oldowan localities. However, fossils of the genus Paranthropus are more commonly associated with stone tools south of the Omo-Turkana basin, and artifacts are exclusively associated with genus Homo north of the Omo-Turkana basin. Homo erectus is linked to several important technological milestones, including the oldest Acheulean toolkits and the earliest dispersals out of Africa. While much attention has been paid to the implications of tool manufacture for genus Homo, an integrated technological perspective should also be considered when evaluating the potential diet and behavior of australopiths.
Subjects
- Archaeology
- Biological Anthropology