“For many years we have been researching stone tools from prehistoric sites in Israel, in order to find out why they were used by ancient humans.” Says Prof. Ran Barkai of the Sonia and Marco Nadler Institute of Archeology at Tel Aviv University. “One of our important sources is the Revadim site, southeast of Gedera – an open-air site (as opposed to a cave) from the period between half a million and 300,000 years ago, rich In exceptionally well-preserved findings. “
“Over time we discovered that the strata site, which was probably used by humans of the late Homo erectus type, was a favorite site, to which humans returned again and again. The site found bone remains of a wide variety of animals – elephants, cattle, elk, donkeys and more, used for food. To the residents. “
Donor of the cutting tool
Researchers from the Institute of Archeology have now deciphered the purpose of flint tools such as the chopping tools found at the prehistoric site in layers. According to the researchers, the people who worked at the Revadim site developed a diverse and effective stone toolbox, which contained a selection of tools for different uses – just like the one used by professionals today. Over time, researchers have been able to decipher the designation of some of the stone tools found at the site, and now a donor of the ‘cutting tools’ has arrived – massive flint pebbles, with one processed, sharp and very massive tip. “Cutting tools were invented in Africa about 2.6 million years ago, and migrated with man everywhere he went in the next two million years. They were found in large quantities in almost all prehistoric sites in the Old World – in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and even China – evidence of their great importance. So far no orderly laboratory tests have been performed to find out what they were used for, “explains Prof. Barkai.
Using advanced research technologies, the researchers analyzed a sample of 53 cutting tools from a layered site using tests of signs of use and organic residues. For this purpose they worked in collaboration with researchers from the University of Rome who specialize in these tests. Numerous scratches and signs of use were discovered on the cutting tools, and some of them also contained the remains of animal bones, which have been preserved for almost half a million years. Following the findings, an experimental archeology test was also performed: the researchers collected flint pebbles from a stratified area, made copies of cutting tools themselves, and used them to split the bones of medium-sized dead animals.
Cutting and cutting tools from the late Ashley site in layers (Photo: Prof. Ran Barkai)
Comparing the signs of use and organic residues on the tools produced in the experiment, to those on the prehistoric cutting tools, greatly strengthened the study’s conclusions, which hold that such tools, found at many sites in Africa, Europe and Asia Like donkeys, deer and possibly even medium-sized cows and cattle, in order to extract the bone marrow from them – a substance with a high caloric value, one of the most nutritious in the animal’s body.
“Ancient humans tore animal bones mainly to extract the bone marrow from them. This is an operation that requires great skill and precision, as only accurate hatching of the bone in two prevents crushing and damage to the bone marrow. The type of tool we tested in this study, the cutting tool, was probably successful. It is particularly convenient to manufacture and effective, and has been used primarily for this vital purpose. And human evolution, “concludes Prof. Barkai.