Bone tools from the early hominid sites, Gauteng: an experimental approach
Date
2003
Authors
Van Ryneveld, Karen
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This project was inspired by the identification of 108 bone tools (dated roughly to
between 2 and 1 Mya) from sites in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site,
Gauteng.
An experimental study was lUldertaken in an attempt to answer the basic question of
"what caused modification marks on early hominid bone tools?" Five experimental
tools were used in each of seven different task oriented experiments. The purpose of
this project was to broaden the existing database of experimentally employed bone
tools and the associated process-pattern relationships. Analysis was based on an
optical comparison of primarily microscopically, but also macroscopically visible usewear
patterns observed on the experimental tools. The experimental data were then
used to make inferences on a middle range theoretical level regarding the use of the
fossil specimens and comment on the currently held opinions.
Description
Thesis (M.Sc. (Palaeoarchaeology))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Science, 2003