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Blasco R, Rosell J, Assaf E, Barkai R, Gopher A. Exploring the lack of articular ends at the Middle Pleistocene site of Qesem Cave, Israel. J Hum Evol 2024; 189:103509. [PMID: 38518437 PMCID: PMC11025369 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2024.103509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Biased skeletal part representation is a key element for making inferences about transport decisions, carcass procurement, and use patterns in anthropogenic accumulations. In the absence of destructive taphonomic processes, it is often assumed that the abundance of different anatomical portions represents selective transport and discard patterns of human groups. Because body parts may be transported for specific products such as meat, marrow or grease, a pattern that usually attracts attention in many archaeological sites is the low proportions of appendicular epiphyses. Here we present the case of faunal assemblages from the lower stratigraphic sequence of Qesem Cave, Israel, dated to ca. 430 to 300 ka. All bone accumulations are characterized by a biased skeletal profile including mainly long-limb bones and a virtual absence of epiphyses. The assemblages also show density-mediated attrition not linked to fossil-diagenetic processes, a targeted specific destruction to the most greasy articular ends and an almost total absence of carnivore intervention. Our goal here is to explore the processes that entail the destruction of appendicular epiphyses at Qesem Cave, as well as propose viable hypotheses to explain their underrepresentation on-site. Our results shed light on the domestic activities linked to the processing of bones at the site and support the importance of animal grease in the caloric intake of Middle Pleistocene humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Blasco
- Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana I Evolució Social (IPHES-CERCA), Zona Educacional 4, Campus Sescelades URV (Edifici W3), 43007, Tarragona, Spain; Àrea de Prehistòria, Universitat Rovira I Virgili (URV), Avinguda de Catalunya, 35, 43002, Tarragona, Spain; Department of Archaeology, Tel-Aviv University, Institute of Archaeology, POB 39040, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Jordi Rosell
- Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana I Evolució Social (IPHES-CERCA), Zona Educacional 4, Campus Sescelades URV (Edifici W3), 43007, Tarragona, Spain; Àrea de Prehistòria, Universitat Rovira I Virgili (URV), Avinguda de Catalunya, 35, 43002, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Ella Assaf
- Department of Archaeology, Tel-Aviv University, Institute of Archaeology, POB 39040, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ran Barkai
- Department of Archaeology, Tel-Aviv University, Institute of Archaeology, POB 39040, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Avi Gopher
- Department of Archaeology, Tel-Aviv University, Institute of Archaeology, POB 39040, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Shimelmitz R, Groman-Yaroslavski I, Weinstein-Evron M, Rosenberg D. A Middle Pleistocene abrading tool from Tabun Cave, Israel: A search for the roots of abrading technology in human evolution. J Hum Evol 2020; 150:102909. [PMID: 33276308 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2020.102909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
During the reanalysis of the finds from Jelinek's and Ronen's excavations at Tabun Cave, Israel, we encountered a cobble bearing traces of mechanical alterations similar to those recorded on grinding tools. However, the artifact derives from the early layers of the Acheulo-Yabrudian complex of the late Lower Paleolithic (ca. 350 ka), a time with no evidence for grinding or abrasion. Accordingly, we sought to determine whether the traces on the artifact can be attributed to purposeful human action. We conducted a detailed use-wear analysis of the cobble and implemented an experimental program, gaining positive results for the hypothesis of purposeful human practice. We argue that the significance and novelty of early abrading technology is that it marks a new mode of raw material manipulation-one that is categorically different from other modes of tool use observed among earlier hominins or other primates and animals. Throughout the Early Pleistocene, use of stone tools was associated with vertical motions (battering, pounding, striking) or with the application of a thin or narrow working edge, leveled at cutting or scraping. Conversely, abrading consists in applying a wide working surface in a continuous sequence of horizontal motions, geared to modify or reduce the surfaces of a targeted material. The emergence of this technology joins additional behavioral changes recently identified and attributed to the Middle Pleistocene, illustrating the growing and diversifying capabilities of early hominins to harness technology to shape their environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron Shimelmitz
- Laboratory of Prehistoric Research, The Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa, 3498838, Israel.
| | - Iris Groman-Yaroslavski
- The Use-Wear Analysis Laboratory, The Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Mina Weinstein-Evron
- Laboratory of Prehistoric Research, The Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Danny Rosenberg
- Laboratory for Ground Stone Tools Research, The Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa, 199 Abba Khousy Ave. Mount Carmel, Haifa, 3498898, Israel
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Lemorini C, Cristiani E, Cesaro S, Venditti F, Zupancich A, Gopher A. The use of ash at Late Lower Paleolithic Qesem Cave, Israel-An integrated study of use-wear and residue analysis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237502. [PMID: 32956377 PMCID: PMC7505473 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Employing an integrated approach to investigate the use of Late Lower Paleolithic flint tools found at the site of Qesem Cave (Israel), we revealed a particular trace pattern related to the employment of ashes at the site. Using a designated collection of replica items and combining use-wear and residue (morphological analysis, FTIR, SEM-EDX) analyses, we revealed the intentional use of ashes in preserving foods for delayed consumption as well as hide for delayed processing. Our interpretation, we believe is the most plausible one since we were able to delineate the specific use-wear fingerprints of the intentional use of ashes for such purposes, suggesting that our approach might be useful for the recognition of other similar functional-behavioral patterns. Lastly, in support of previous findings at Qesem Cave, our current findings present evidence for the processing of organic matters intentionally mixed with ash, leading us to suggest that the inhabitants of Qesem Cave were proficient not only in the habitual use of fire but also of its main by-product, ash. Hence, we call for a reassessment of the timeline currently assigned to hominins' utilization of ash for storing and processing vegetal foods and hide.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Lemorini
- LTFAPA Laboratory, Department of Classics, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - E. Cristiani
- DANTE Laboratory, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - S. Cesaro
- Scientific Methodologies Applied to Cultural Heritage (SMATCH), Rome, Italy
| | - F. Venditti
- LTFAPA Laboratory, Department of Classics, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
- Institute of Archaeology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - A. Zupancich
- DANTE Laboratory, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - A. Gopher
- Institute of Archaeology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Agam A, Zupancich A. Interpreting the Quina and demi-Quina scrapers from Acheulo-Yabrudian Qesem Cave, Israel: Results of raw materials and functional analyses. J Hum Evol 2020; 144:102798. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2020.102798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Assaf E, Caricola I, Gopher A, Rosell J, Blasco R, Bar O, Zilberman E, Lemorini C, Baena J, Barkai R, Cristiani E. Shaped stone balls were used for bone marrow extraction at Lower Paleolithic Qesem Cave, Israel. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230972. [PMID: 32271815 PMCID: PMC7145020 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of shaped stone balls at early Paleolithic sites has attracted scholarly attention since the pioneering work of the Leakeys in Olduvai, Tanzania. Despite the persistent presence of these items in the archaeological record over a period of two million years, their function is still debated. We present new results from Middle Pleistocene Qesem Cave on the use of these implements as percussion tools. Use-wear and abundant bone and fat residues found on ten shaped stone balls indicate crushing of fresh bones by thrusting percussion and provide direct evidence for the use of these items to access bone marrow of animal prey at this site. Two experiments conducted to investigate and verify functional aspects proved Qesem Cave shaped stone balls are efficient for bone processing and provide a comfortable grip and useful active areas for repeated use. Notably, the patina observed on the analyzed items precedes their use at the cave, indicating that they were collected by Qesem inhabitants, most probably from older Lower Paleolithic Acheulian sites. Thus, our results refer only to the final phases of the life of the items, and we cannot attest to their original function. As bone marrow played a central role in human nutrition in the Lower Paleolithic, and our experimental results show that the morphology and characteristics of shaped stone ball replicas are well-suited for the extraction of bone marrow, we suggest that these features might have been the reason for their collection and use at Qesem Cave. These results shed light on the function of shaped stone balls and are consistent with the significance of animal fat in the caloric intake of Middle Pleistocene humans as shown by the archeozoological evidence at Qesem Cave and possibly beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella Assaf
- Institute of Archaeology, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- * E-mail: (EA); (EC)
| | - Isabella Caricola
- DANTE—Diet and Ancient Technology Laboratory, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome (IT), Rome, Italy
- Newcastle University, School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom
| | - Avi Gopher
- Institute of Archaeology, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Jordi Rosell
- IPHES Institut Català de Palaeoecologia Humana i Evolució Social,Tarragona, Spain
- Àrea de Prehistòria Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV),Tarragona, Spain
| | - Ruth Blasco
- Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH), Burgos, Spain
| | - Oded Bar
- Geological Survey of Israel, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Cristina Lemorini
- Department of Classics, LTFAPA Lab., Sapienza University of Rome (IT), Rome, Italy
| | - Javier Baena
- Department of Prehistory and Archaeology, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ran Barkai
- Institute of Archaeology, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Emanuela Cristiani
- DANTE—Diet and Ancient Technology Laboratory, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome (IT), Rome, Italy
- * E-mail: (EA); (EC)
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Blasco R, Rosell J, Sánchez-Marco A, Gopher A, Barkai R. Feathers and food: Human-bird interactions at Middle Pleistocene Qesem Cave, Israel. J Hum Evol 2019; 136:102653. [PMID: 31542561 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2019.102653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The presence of fast-moving small game in the Paleolithic archaeological faunal record has long been considered a key variable to assess fundamental aspects of human behavior and subsistence. Birds occupy a prominent place in this debate not only due to their small size and to the difficulties in capturing them (essentially due to their ability to fly and their elusiveness), but also due to their possible role in the symbolic array in regard to non-nutritional elements (feathers, talons, etc.) and as reflectors of complex human-world relationships. In this study, we attempt to contribute to this topic by presenting taphonomical data of bird specimens from Qesem Cave (Israel), dated between 420 and 200 ka. Human-induced damage, including cut marks, peeling and human gnawing, has been identified on wing bones of Cygnus sp., Columba sp., Corvus ruficollis and Sturnus sp. Our evidence suggests that avian exploitation was not limited to food only-either to complement the human diet or as occasional food item-but also presumably for the use of feathers. While the consumption of birds as a dietary source seems to be evident as early as the Early Pleistocene, the non-alimentary use of inedible elements, such as feathers and talons, appears to be a practice from the Middle Paleolithic onwards. We argue that the combined nutritional and symbolic use of birds is one characteristic of the new mode of adaptation practiced already by the late Lower Paleolithic Acheulo-Yabrudian hominins in the Levant starting 400 ka. The Qesem findings point to the possible emergence of new cognitive and behavioral skills, which are followed in later periods in the Old World. Finally, we discuss the possible ontological and cosmological significance of human-bird interactions to illuminate our hypothesis regarding the emergence of a new perception of human relationships with the world as an integral part of the new Acheulo-Yabrudian mode of adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Blasco
- Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH), Paseo Sierra de Atapuerca 3, 09002 Burgos, Spain; Department of Archaeology, Tel-Aviv University, Institute of Archaeology, POB 39040, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Jordi Rosell
- Àrea de Prehistòria, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Avinguda de Catalunya, 35, 43002 Tarragona, Spain; IPHES, Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social, Zona educacional 4, Campus Sescelades URV (Edifici W3), 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Antonio Sánchez-Marco
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Edifici ICTA-ICP, c/ Columnes s/n, Campus de la UAB, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Avi Gopher
- Department of Archaeology, Tel-Aviv University, Institute of Archaeology, POB 39040, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ran Barkai
- Department of Archaeology, Tel-Aviv University, Institute of Archaeology, POB 39040, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
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Calandra I, Schunk L, Bob K, Gneisinger W, Pedergnana A, Paixao E, Hildebrandt A, Marreiros J. The effect of numerical aperture on quantitative use-wear studies and its implication on reproducibility. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6313. [PMID: 31004088 PMCID: PMC6474883 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42713-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Many archeologists are skeptical about the capabilities of use-wear analysis to infer on the function of archeological tools, mainly because the method is seen as subjective, not standardized and not reproducible. Quantitative methods in particular have been developed and applied to address these issues. However, the importance of equipment, acquisition and analysis settings remains underestimated. One of those settings, the numerical aperture of the objective, has the potential to be one of the major factors leading to reproducibility issues. Here, experimental flint and quartzite tools were imaged using laser-scanning confocal microscopy with two objectives having the same magnification but different numerical apertures. The results demonstrate that 3D surface texture ISO 25178 parameters differ significantly when the same surface is measured with objectives having different numerical apertures. It is, however, unknown whether this property would blur or mask information related to use of the tools. Other acquisition and analyses settings are also discussed. We argue that to move use-wear analysis toward standardization, repeatability and reproducibility, the first step is to report all acquisition and analysis settings. This will allow the reproduction of use-wear studies, as well as tracing the differences between studies to given settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Calandra
- TraCEr, Laboratory for Traceology and Controlled Experiments at MONREPOS Archaeological Research Centre and Museum for Human Behavioural Evolution, RGZM, Schloss Monrepos, 56567, Neuwied, Germany.
| | - Lisa Schunk
- TraCEr, Laboratory for Traceology and Controlled Experiments at MONREPOS Archaeological Research Centre and Museum for Human Behavioural Evolution, RGZM, Schloss Monrepos, 56567, Neuwied, Germany
- Institute for Prehistoric and Protohistoric Archaeology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Schönborner Hof, Schillerstraße 11, 55116, Mainz, Germany
| | - Konstantin Bob
- Scientific Computing and Bioinformatics, Institute of Computer Science, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudingerweg 9, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Walter Gneisinger
- TraCEr, Laboratory for Traceology and Controlled Experiments at MONREPOS Archaeological Research Centre and Museum for Human Behavioural Evolution, RGZM, Schloss Monrepos, 56567, Neuwied, Germany
| | - Antonella Pedergnana
- TraCEr, Laboratory for Traceology and Controlled Experiments at MONREPOS Archaeological Research Centre and Museum for Human Behavioural Evolution, RGZM, Schloss Monrepos, 56567, Neuwied, Germany
| | - Eduardo Paixao
- TraCEr, Laboratory for Traceology and Controlled Experiments at MONREPOS Archaeological Research Centre and Museum for Human Behavioural Evolution, RGZM, Schloss Monrepos, 56567, Neuwied, Germany
- ICArEHB, Interdisciplinary Center for Archaeology and Evolution of Human Behaviour, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Andreas Hildebrandt
- Scientific Computing and Bioinformatics, Institute of Computer Science, Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudingerweg 9, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Joao Marreiros
- TraCEr, Laboratory for Traceology and Controlled Experiments at MONREPOS Archaeological Research Centre and Museum for Human Behavioural Evolution, RGZM, Schloss Monrepos, 56567, Neuwied, Germany
- Institute for Prehistoric and Protohistoric Archaeology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Schönborner Hof, Schillerstraße 11, 55116, Mainz, Germany
- ICArEHB, Interdisciplinary Center for Archaeology and Evolution of Human Behaviour, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
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