Unravelling the technology of the first humans in Europe

[xchrom]

http://www.elpais.com/articulo/sociedad/Unravelling/the/technology/of/the/first/humans/in/Europe/elpepusoc/20120119elpepusoc_7/Tes

Some men always seem to want the latest gadgets, from snazzy iPads to the most up-to-date DIY tools. Ancient man was no different, upgrading tools as soon as new innovations became available. The capacity to develop and use new tools was crucial in allowing ancient man to move from Africa to Europe and start evolving into the humans we are today.

My team at the Department of Prehistory and Archaeology at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in Spain has been collaborating in the excavation and study of remains of ancient man found in Dmanisi, Georgia (figs 1 and 2). This site is the richest in fossil remains from the lower Pleistocene period (around 1.8 to 1.6 million years ago) found so far, and to date has yielded five craniums and dozens of skeletal remains (fig 3). The remains are nearly two million years old, representing the oldest ever hominids found in Europe. The similarity of these hominids, named Homo georgicus, to Homo ergaster?a species found in Kenya, Africa, that dates to around 1.75 million years ago?suggest that Homo georgicus was the first species to leave Africa and may have given rise to the Asiatic Homo erectus line. As such, Homo georgicus could be the start point of modern European man: you and me.

Our team also found many stone tools at the Dmanisi site, the first stone tools documented in Eurasia. Our study of these tools has revealed the complex technical behaviour of the hominids who lived at this site: behaviour that allowed them to expand beyond eastern Africa. Furthermore, analysis of the sequence in which materials from this site were produced has shown the technological changes these groups of humans implemented on their arrival in Europe.

The stones used in the manufacture of these tools came from the surrounding area, as is usual during this period of antiquity. The hominids almost always chose smooth pebbles from the nearby Mashavera and Pinesauri rivers, although larger blocks and flat angular stones were also occasionally used. The inhabitants made use of a wide variety of rocks, up to 21 different types, indicating their ability to recognise and make use of any stone that could be shaped.

[Warpy]

1. It's really a pity that all that survives from that long ago

is stone and bone. One has to wonder if they twisted grasses to make rope and if they had any weaving techniques to make sandals or shelter or if they just lived au naturel, out in the open or under a rock outcropping.

And wouldn't you love to know the stories they told!

[jberryhill]

2. "And wouldn't you love to know the stories they told!"

A lot of those were hidden by a jury decision.

[laconicsax]

3. How do you unravel a stone tool?