A Techno-Functional Analysis of Acheulean Backed Knives from Wonderboom, South Africa. (3rd April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Caruana, Matthew V.; Lotter, Matt G.; Lombard, Marlize
• Is Part Of: Journal of field archaeology. Volume 48:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 198
• Page End: 209
• Publication Date: 2023-04-03
• Subjects: Large cutting tools -- ergonomics -- lithic recycling -- animal butchery -- cognition -- Earlier Stone Age; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 930.105
• DOI: 10.1080/00934690.2022.2157094
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0093-4690

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We present the first techno-functional examination of backed knives from the southern African Acheulean. Our results suggest that they were opportunistically produced, although they demonstrate a unique ergonomic design that may have increased their efficiency in subsistence activities. Moreover, the frequency of backed knives at Wonderboom may be associated with possible meat harvesting at a nearby gap (Wonderboompoort) in the Magaliesberg range, which formed a bottleneck for animal herds migrating across major biome boundaries in the deep past. The Wonderboom knives might have been made on an ad hoc basis to augment butchery practices.