14 research outputs found
Shape Variation in Aterian Tanged Tools and the Origins of Projectile Technology: A Morphometric Perspective on Stone Tool Function
BACKGROUND: Recent findings suggest that the North African Middle Stone Age technocomplex known as the Aterian is both much older than previously assumed, and certainly associated with fossils exhibiting anatomically modern human morphology and behavior. The Aterian is defined by the presence of 'tanged' or 'stemmed' tools, which have been widely assumed to be among the earliest projectile weapon tips. The present study systematically investigates morphological variation in a large sample of Aterian tools to test the hypothesis that these tools were hafted and/or used as projectile weapons. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Both classical morphometrics and Elliptical Fourier Analysis of tool outlines are used to show that the shape variation in the sample exhibits size-dependent patterns consistent with a reduction of the tools from the tip down, with the tang remaining intact. Additionally, the process of reduction led to increasing side-to-side asymmetries as the tools got smaller. Finally, a comparison of shape-change trajectories between Aterian tools and Late Paleolithic arrowheads from the North German site of Stellmoor reveal significant differences in terms of the amount and location of the variation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The patterns of size-dependent shape variation strongly support the functional hypothesis of Aterian tools as hafted knives or scrapers with alternating active edges, rather than as weapon tips. Nevertheless, the same morphological patterns are interpreted as one of the earliest evidences for a hafting modification, and for the successful combination of different raw materials (haft and stone tip) into one implement, in itself an important achievement in the evolution of hominin technologies
La station moustérienne de El-Oubira.
Debruge A. La station moustérienne de El-Oubira. In: Bulletin de la Société préhistorique de France, tome 18, n°6, 1921. pp. 146-148
Deux fragments osseux, de l'Escargotière de Mechta-el-Arbi
Debruge A. Deux fragments osseux, de l'Escargotière de Mechta-el-Arbi. In: Bulletin de la Société préhistorique de France, tome 23, n°1-2, 1926. pp. 45-48
Nouvelles Fouilles à Mechta el Arbi, près de Châteaudun-du-Rhumel (Constantine) (Novembre 1912)
Debruge A. Nouvelles Fouilles à Mechta el Arbi, près de Châteaudun-du-Rhumel (Constantine) (Novembre 1912). In: Bulletin de la Société préhistorique de France, tome 11, n°4, 1914. pp. 216-220
Présentation de quelques types particuliers de flèches sahariennes
Debruge A. Présentation de quelques types particuliers de flèches sahariennes. In: Bulletin de la Société préhistorique de France, tome 19, n°1, 1922. pp. 43-48
Une curiosité préhistorique
Debruge A. Une curiosité préhistorique. In: Bulletin de la Société préhistorique de France, tome 25, n°11, 1928. pp. 475-477
La station « Sergent Bianchi ». Erg de Tihodaïne entre le Tassili et le Hoggar
Debruge A. La station « Sergent Bianchi ». Erg de Tihodaïne entre le Tassili et le Hoggar. In: Bulletin de la Société préhistorique de France, tome 32, n°9, 1935. pp. 452-454
Curieux Coup-de-poing conchoïdal
Debruge A. Curieux Coup-de-poing conchoïdal. In: Bulletin de la Société préhistorique de France, tome 28, n°5, 1931. pp. 258-261
Mission préhistorique du Musée Logan dans l'Afrique du Nord
Debruge A. Mission préhistorique du Musée Logan dans l'Afrique du Nord. In: Bulletin de la Société préhistorique de France, tome 24, n°11, 1927. pp. 402-404
Présentation d'un Crâne et de l'Industrie de l'Escargotière de Mechta el-Arbi
Debruge A., Mercier Gustave. Présentation d'un Crâne et de l'Industrie de l'Escargotière de Mechta el-Arbi. In: Bulletin de la Société préhistorique de France, tome 10, n°10, 1913. pp. 534-540