Accepted Manuscript

Title: Technical and technological complexity in the beginning: the study of Dmanisi
lithic assemblage

Authors: Javier Baena, David Lordikpanidze, Felipe Cuartero, Reid Ferring, David
Zhvania, Diego Martín, Teona Shelia, Giorgi Bidzinashuili, Marta Roca, Daniel Rubio

PII: S1040-6182(10)00040-6
DOI: 10.1016/j.quaint.2010.01.019
Reference: JQI 2264

To appear in: Quaternary International

Received Date: 14 May 2009

Revised Date: 18 January 2010
Accepted Date: 19 January 2010

Please cite this article as: Baena, J., Lordikpanidze, D., Cuartero, F., Ferring, R., Zhvania, D., Martín,
D., Shelia, T., Bidzinashuili, G., Roca, M., Rubio, D. Technical and technological complexity in the
beginning: the study of Dmanisi lithic assemblage, Quaternary International (2010), doi: 10.1016/
j.quaint.2010.01.019

This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to
our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo
copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please
note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all
legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
Technical and technological complexity in the beginning:
the study of Dmanisi lithic assemblage

Javier Baena 1*, David Lordikpanidze 2, Felipe Cuartero1, Reid Ferring 3,

David Zhvania, Diego Martín1, Teona Shelia,
Giorgi Bidzinashuili, Marta Roca1, Daniel Rubio1
1
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
2
Georgian National Museum; 3, Rustaveli Avenue, 0105 Tbilisi, Georgia

PT
3
Department of Geography University of North Texas USA
*Corresponding author: Javier.Baena@uam.es

RI
Abstract
Classic typological approaches have provided significant information about human
behavior in terms of morphological ideas as well as relevant data about the main

SC
technical and technological evolution. The development of technological approaches in
recent times has revealed much detail about human abilities through these records,
showing more complex situations in terms of human cultural evolution.
Since 2003, a Georgian-Spanish team has restarted the study of the Dmanisi lithic

U
collection from a technical and technological view, using knapping experimentation,
and technological diacritic analysis from a significant sample of tools. The study of
AN
lithic raw materials indicate that the selection of blanks was mainly produced in the
nearest outcrops and secondary deposits. At the same time, the workability selection of
blanks indicates that an accurate selection of raw materials was made. Small differences
M

in the way in which selection was produced can be detected from levels II to IV.
The main schema analyzed in the first cluster (old level IV), includes a selection of
natural forms with a simple knapped series (about 3 to 4 strikes) using good natural
angles, with restarting in the same surface with a shorter sequence of two-to-three
D

strikes to produce final forms. Following this schema, the use of new adequate surfaces
can produce polyhedric morphologies in the core during the final steps. Technically, the
TE

materials from this level indicate a special kind of percussion, close to a bending effect.
The analysed flakes show attributes that are usually linked to soft-hammer percussion.
In this case, after experiments, those stigmas are produced by stone hammer percussion
EP

with a special movement of a slow-perpendicular strike.

In the second cluster (old level II), the use of better raw materials allowed a longer and
successful production of sharp flakes without changing this strategy. The organization
of series implies on occasions the generation of discoid-like morphologies, perhaps as a
C

result of a more complex organization of series. With the decrease in the size of the
AC

blanks, blank dimensions become smaller, and thus require speedy-angular percussion
in order to assure flake production. New technical abilities produced changes in the
attributes, sizes and core morphologies. Everything indicates that first human
occupation at Dmanisi-Geogia involved people with an important background in
knapping skills that allowed several changes, in terms of adaptation, to particular lithic
environments, raw material selection, technical strategies, as far as known within a short
period.

1. Context of the site

Dmanisi archaeological site is located in the south of the Republic of Georgia, in the
historical province of Kvemo Kartli, 75 km south-west from Tbilisi city. The
archaeological site is located in a promontory hanging upon a basaltic platform between
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
the Mashavera and Pinesauri rivers, near their confluence. The geological context is
characterized by a substrate composed by lower Palaeozoic granite and gneiss
basements and sedimentary Jurassic deposits. Upon them, volcanic-sedimentary
deposits were formed during middle Eocene.
The stratigraphy was originally divided in 6 different levels (Djaparidze et al. 1989)
classified as I, II, III, IV, V and VI. A tentative correspondence between old VI, V and
IV to A, and III, II and I to B was proposed (Gabunia et al. 2001). Recently, the
stratigraphy proposed by Reed Ferring includes a more complex and detailed
understanding of different depositional processes.

PT
The sequence now is understood in a different way. The stratigraphy shows on the
top of the Masavera basalt, dated in block 2 around 1.85 ka, two main strata: A and B
(Tappen et al. 2007, Lordkipanidze et al. 2007). Layer A, formed by a discrete series of

RI
at least four separate ashfalls, is normally magnetized within the Olduvai subchron.
Layer B, deposited directly after them and stratified within four subunits (B1, B2, B3
and B4), is reversely magnetized. A series of hydraulic pipes were formed within the A

SC
sediments creating tunnels that were filled with B1 sediments containing archaeological
and paleoanthropological materials. Some of these tunnels collapsed, producing small
drainage runnels. Most of the archaeological materials came from these fillings and
from the tops of the collapses. B2 strata were deposited above this complex structure,

U
and also contain fauna and lithic industry. The time span for the entire sedimentation
process looks to be very short although contradictory interpretations have been
AN
presented (Calvo-Rathert, 2008).

2. Sample selection and methodology

The project, “Redefinition of mode I: A techno-economical study of Dmanisi lithic
M

assemblage: definition of the technical and technological behaviour in the first eastern
European human groups”, studied a representative sample of lithic remains, mainly
from Blocks (areas) 1 and 2 considered as an assemblage, but in which the old
D

denomination of each level has been kept as an approximate reference. De Lumley et

al. (2005) and Mgeladze (2008) made a general study of the Dmanisi collection that
TE

includes a total of 4446 and 8099 pieces respectively, in which only 2019 and 3007
were described as worked materials (Mgeladze, 2008). The total collection was revised
in order to obtain a significant sample of technical and technological pieces. A total of
EP

266 pieces were analyzed through technical and technological attribute recognition, and
diacrithic reading (Tixier et al. 1980, Odell, 2004; Baena and Cuartero, 2007).
Following Mgeladze (2008), this could represent around 10% of the total worked
material.
C

One of the aims is to reconstruct knapping sequences, and therefore the organisation
AC

between different scars or series is as important as the morphology or the direction of

the removals, as it allows a reconstruction of different knapping steps or sequences.
This series of scars was organized by diacritical readings, where colours indicate older
to younger ones (from light orange: cortex or natural surface; to dark blue: last scar).
The selection of the analysed sample has looked for significant pieces which yield rich
and well-preserved information, as Baena and Cuartero (2007) have recently proposed.
Although this approach is mainly qualitative, the sample analysed here is considered
representative.
An attempt was made to synthesise how series of scars are cut, on their distal parts
or sides, or to allow a surface as platform for newer ones. Following this overview, nine
main possibilities are shown in Figure 1a; for example, related to platforms: 1) platform
is left on the proximal part (POP), 2) platform is left on lateral part of scar(s) (POL) or
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
3) platform is left on the distal part (POD) of previous series. Those relations are mainly
recognized on cores, and in some knapped products or by-products with significant
information such as backed flakes. The general impression of each old level group
(levels IV and II) show a high degree of technical and technological homogeneity.

3. Raw materials
Dmanisi is located in a volcanic region. This has some advantages such as
preservation, and good dating that provide context; but, on the other hand, this
geological-petrographical context becomes especially complicated in terms of lithic raw

PT
material analysis, as it usually offers a great diversity of rocks. A total of 24 different
raw materials collected by hominids have been recognized on the site.
Counting of rock types present in the Pinesauri and Mashavera rivers, as well as

RI
in old river bank deposits and primary outcrops, has been done. However, the question
of great variability remains. For example: basalt; even taken from a single petrological
category, has a great variability, from fine-grained to porous-vesicular specimens.

SC
Here, a clasification in terms of quality degrees is proposed. Rock samples are
grouped in quality categories, in which, for example, knapping effects are considered
after several experiments considering tenacity and homogeneity. This simplifies data
and achieves a better understand of this high variability (Figure 2a, 2b).

4. Knapping methods.
U
AN
In Dmanisi's lithic assemblage, very simple strategies of débitage are present,
but some cores show a more complex organisation of the scars. From a typological view
of their morphologies, those could be considered as discoid cores or even levallois. On
M

the contrary, a detailed analysis with a diachritical study shows that those are not
generated with a levallois method (as understood by Boëda, 1993), even if their
volumetric structure looks similar.
Following the proposed analysis, quite simple strategies are evident, for example
D

in the first cluster (old level IV): cores exploited with unipolar series, and some short
sequences of alternate scars on the surface used as a platform (Figure 3). Volumes of
TE

selected blanks, mainly cobbles and eroded (smooth) blocks, are exploited on one or
two sides, on their thickness, following a transversal sense to length axis, and creating a
short and wide front parallel to it. However, other cases show more developed
EP

exploitations, with different sequences of longitudinal (coincident with length) series of

scars cutting or been cut by transversal series with a discontinuous alternance (figure 3).
Even in these “complex” schemas, the last flakes and cores usually preserve some
cortex.
C

These strategies are mostly developed on middle or good quality raw materials
AC

where the original shape of the cobble or the block determines the setting of possible
series of removals. Simple unipolar schemas, on the contrary, are developed in both
poor and good quality raw materials, but also looking for suitable percussion platforms
on flat or slightly concave (on its axial sense) surfaces. The number of possibilities of
interaction of the series is therefore quite reduced, with two options (POP and BCL)
recognized (figure 1.a).
In the second (old level II), some simple strategies are found, such as cores with
exploitation organized in unipolar series that are usually linked to the lowest raw
material qualities, as tuff-sandstone, or low quality basalts and diabases (Fig. 4). Also,
small blanks of good quality raw materials can be exploited following these strategies.
Good quality raw materials usually show a more complex organisation in
exploitation that can provide an aspect of discoid-like cores. These so-called discoids
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
show different patterns in the organization of their scars compared with classical
Middle-Palaeolithic discoids. These (Figure 4) show an alternation in series
(discontinuous), and not scar-by-scar, as usually marks the classical Mousterian discoid
knapping conception, as defined by Boëda (1993) or Peresani (1998). Fine grained
basalts, andesites, tuffs and cherts on different, sometimes unrecognisable support
(cobbles or smooth blocks usually), can be exploited with this strategy. A local raw
material (less than 1 km from primary outcrop) of good quality, yellow tuff, was also
exploited from natural flakes or angular-rough blocks.
Multipolar patterns can be recognised on cores and some of the flakes made

PT
from a good quality raw material with several kinds of interaction of removal series on
the discoid, thriedral or orthogonal resulting volumes (POP, POD, POL; BCP, BCL,
BCD and DCL) (Figure 5). Therefore, in terms of method, there are two different

RI
strategies: one with a good selection of morphology, in which short series of scars are
produced and with little interaction between them; and the second, an accurate selection
of quality in which complex, interdependent series with several directions occur.

SC
Technological and typological compositiosn of both assemblages also show
important differences. The first cluster (old level IV) has almost no retouched pieces,
and most retouches, with marginal character, discontinuous and irregular, could be
considered as mechanically produced. On the contrary, the second group (old level II),

U
shows clearly retouched pieces, with notches, denticulates and continuous retouches.
In addition, some pieces in this cluster seem to have been introduced into the site
AN
as retouched pieces, especially red good-quality chert. Some of the large flakes in
yellow tuff (close to 10 cm length and thicker than 2 cm) of this level are modified by
secondary removals providing products of enough size to be considered as suitable
M

supports for retouch or direct use. These large modified flakes, some resembling karari-
scrapers, could be considered either as retouched pieces or as cores on flakes. The
question can be only answered positively after a use-wear analysis.
In this sense, also cobbles with removals, typologically classified as choppers
D

and chopping tools can be identified as tools only after functional studies. In the whole
assemblage, several pieces could be related to these typological categories, although
TE

most show irregular edges, with wide angles for suitable functionality and knapping
sequences that are not differentiable from the ones attested on cores. Only some, with
regular series of removals defining even continuous retouches, are closer to the concept
EP

of tool on cobble. Those possible choppers or small tools on cobbles always are related
to the second group (old level II).

5. Techniques and gesture of percussion

C

Another interesting aspect of the Dmanisi lithic assemblage is the variability of

AC

technical stigmas documented on platforms and ventral surfaces of the flakes. The
analytical study of attributes of the selected sample integrates both technical and
technological information in order to analyze these two different aspects through
experimental replication and technological reading. As a result of technical attributes
recognition, during 2006, 2007 and 2008 several experimental programs were
developed with original raw materials obtained in the Mashavera and Pinezauri river
deposits, in order to recognize these possible technical differences. Experimentations
were conducted by the spanish-georgian group with special attention to platform, bulb,
accidents and scar face attributes registered in the archaeological material.
The results obtained in both aspects indicate:
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
1) There are two different clusters of flakes showing different technical attributes.
In the first one, flakes show elongated platforms, with a slightly developed bulb,
and commonly a lip between the platform and the ventral surface with special
incidence in the materials classified in the old level IV. The second group shows
well marked bulbs, with clear points of percussion observed in pieces coming
mainly from old level II.
2) The stigmas of the first group of flakes could be explained by a special kind of
percussion or a specific selection of hammerstones. Experimental reproduction
can obtain such attributes by using a slow movement (Fig. 1b) in percussion and

PT
with a straight trajectory.
3) The second one could be easily linked to conventional hard-hammer percussion,
compared with the first cluster ones. The experimental reproduction shows that

RI
fast movements (Fig. 1c) with a curved trajectory can easily reproduce these
attributes.
4) There is no special preference of raw material in the selection of hammerstones,

SC
and patterns of use and breakage look quite homogeneous throughout the
assemblage, always showing frontal use (coincident with length axe) and the
same initial morphologies (attack angles) of the blanks.

U
One of the most reasonable hypotheses is the existence of a different technical
gesture of percussion in both groups, in which the speed may be conditioned by the
AN
holding system. This develops differences in platform stigmas, with some closer to
bending fracture (slow movement) and others to conchoidal fracture (fast movement).
M

6. Conclusion
The Dmanisi raw materials have been exploited with different intensity
depending on the quality (in terms of workability); however, there are some patterns in
the organisation of the series, and differences between these “complex” schemas when
D

they are produced. Two different clusters can be distinguished within the assemblage:
TE

- The first differentiated cluster shows no selection of quality at catchment,

where the morphology of the blank seems to be the most important criterion.
There is a low degree of modification of these blanks in general terms,
EP

mostly by unipolar series of scars: when they occur in a good quality raw
material, sometimes they become more complex and can be produced all
around the surface of the core, but mostly in an independent pattern, where
rarely the new series of scars cuts another one (thus, some cortex always
C

remains). The kind of percussion associated to this cluster could be slower

AC

compared to the other cluster: some stigmas as marked lips, diffuse bulbs,
and accidents as hinge are frequently recognised. There is a low degree of
configuration by retouch of the flakes that is quite scarce in the proportion of
this group.
- In contrast, the second one shows a good selection of the raw material in the
catchment, where the quality usually determines the complexity of the
knapping strategies developed. Better materials can show complex
multipolar interrelated series. There is a high degree of modification of the
original supports (blanks) and some intense exploitation of them. The
percussion associated to this cluster is usually the fast-movement one, with
developed bulbs and greater incidence of accidents as siret breakage. In
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
general terms, there is a high proportion and variety of tools, some with
intense modification of the blank.

7. Discussion
Chronological debate on mode 1 industries has focussed until now on two
different positions:
- An assessment of technological stasis, linked to low proportions of retouched
tools and a low degree of standardisation on them through the whole period,

PT
with a sudden change or transition to Acheulian industries around 1.7 Ma
(Semaw, 1997; Semaw, 2000; de la Torre, 2005). Differences between
assemblages are usually explained under this view through functional

RI
differences between sites (de la Torre, 2005) and different raw materials (de
la Torre, 2004) offered by the landscape. Although this involves important
observations, the implications of different knapping methods are

SC
underestimated in these analyses.

- An assessment of evolution or development of different facies, also linked to

techno-typological composition and sometimes depending on skilfulness and

U
abilities on knapping activities (Chavaillon and Chavaillon, 1976; Kibunjia,
1994; Kibunjia et al, 1992; Roche, 1989; Roche and Texier, 1996; Roche et
AN
al, 2003; Texier, 1996). This approach of abilities, usually based on the
recognition of knapping accidents, can be complicate to explore, considering
the diverse situations that can lead to a supposed low degree of technicity
M

(stress of knapping activity, different degrees of knowledge inside a same

group, low knowledge of the raw material). Perhaps the information of mode
1 assemblages available nowadays is mostly fragmentary, considering the
number of sites and spatial information, to allow precise study of this view.
D

Interpretations on chronological-evolution patterns must be answered with a wide

TE

perspective, paying attention to all these conditionings related above, but alsowith a
special regard to methods, techniques and raw material.
The study of methods on cores and retouched tools allows an approach to the
EP

understanding of volume and search of morphologies, which can be understood as a

wider view on the discussion of abilities and knowledge. A deep comprehension of
débitage methods can show how the structure of the core with its different knapping
sequences, can condition the appearance of flakes of determinate structure such as
C

backed ones. The approach of knapping techniques, although developed by some

AC

authors (Toth, 1982; Pelegrin and Roche, 2000) has focused on some special techniques
or mechanisms of rupture, mainly concoidal mechanism by opposition to wedging or
split fracture mechanism. Nevertheless, for most of the mode 1 lithic assemblages,
stigmas of percussion are rarely well described.
Knapping methods documented at Dmanisi can be linked to assemblages
documented at Omo (de la Torre, 2004), Hadar (Hovers, 2001) and may be in some
characters to Gona (Semaw, 2000) and Lokalalei (Roche et al, 2003) for the first cluster
(Dmanisi IV) recognised: simple sequences on cortical platforms. The second cluster on
the contrary (Dmanisi II), has parallels with Olduvai Bed I (de la Torre, 2005) and
Koobi Fora (Toth, 1982; Isaac et al, 1997): complex methods with different kinds of
multidirectional sequences.
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
In knapping techniques, based on published images, Dmanisi IV could be
compared to Gona (Semaw et al., 2003, p 174 ,their Figure 4) or Lokalalei (Delagnes
and Roche, 2005, p. 458, their Figure 18) and probably Fejej (de Lumley et al., 2004, p.
84, their Figure 55), which seem to show the same kind of platforms and technical
stigmas.
Changes in knapping techniques usually happen through long periods, and may
be one of the most static elements in lithic productions. An important change such as
the one documented here in a sort sequence of time (10 to 100 ky) must be deeply
explored in future studies of Dmanisi and East African assemblages.

PT
Acknowledgments
This research is included within the Cooperation programme between the Kingdom of

RI
Spain and the Georgian Republic under the support of Fundación Duques de Soria and
the Georgian National Museum in the Project: Redefinition of mode I. A techno-
economical study of Dmanisi lithic assemblage: definition of the technical and

SC
technological behaviour in the first eastern European human groups

References
Baena Preysler, J. and Cuartero F. 2007. Más allá de la tipología lítica: lectura diacrítica

U
y experimentación como claves para la reconstrucción del proceso tecnológico. In José
Manuel Maillo and Enrique Baquedano, eds., Miscelánea en homenaje a Victoria
AN
Cabrera. Zona Arqueológica, 7 (I), 144-161.
Boëda, E. 1993. Le débitage Discoïde et le débitage Levallois récurrent centripète.
BSPF, 86 (6), 392-404.
M

Calvo-Rathert, M.; Goguitchaichvili, A.; Sologashvili, D.; Villalaín, J.J.; Bógalo, M.F.;
Carrancho A and Maissuradze G., 2008. New paleomagnetic data from the hominin
bearing Dmanisi paleo-anthropologic site (southern Georgia, Caucasus) Quaternary
Research 69, 91-96.
D

Chavaillon, J. and Chavaillon, N. 1976. Le Paléolithique ancien en Ethiopie. Caractères

techniques de l´Oldowayen de Gomboré I a Melka-Konturé. In J. D. Clark and G. L.
TE

Isaac, eds., Colloque V: Les plus anciennes industries en Afrique. Nice, UISPP IX
Congrés, 43-69
Delagnes A. and Roche H. 2005. Late Pliocene hominid knapping skills: The case of
EP

Lokalalei 2C, West Turkana, Kenya. Journal of Human Evolution 48: 435–472.
De Lumley, H. De; Beyene, Y.; Barsky, D.; Byrne, L.; Camara, A.; Cauche, D.,
Celiberti, V.; Fournier, A. y Pleurdeau, D. 2004. L’industrie lithique préoldowayenne
du site de Fejej FJ-1, Ethiopie. In Les sites préhistoriques de la région de Fejej, Sud
C

Omo, Ethiopie, dans leur contexte stratigraphique et paléontologique. Éditions

AC

Recherche sur les Civilisations/Association pour la Diffusion de la Pensée Française,

París: 391-563.
De Lumley H. De; Nioradze M.; Barsky D.;Cauche D.; Celiberti V.; Nioradze G.;
Notter O.; Zvania D.; Lordkipanidze D. 2005. Les industries lithiques préoldowayennes
du début du pléistocène inférieur du site de Dmanissi en Géorgie = The pre-oldowayen
lithic industry from the beginning of the lower Pleistocene at the Dmanissi site in
Georgia. L' Anthropologie 109 (1), 1-182.
De la Torre, I. 2004. Omo Revisited: Evaluating the Technological Skills of Pliocene
Hominids. Current Anthropology, 45: 439-465.
De la Torre, I. 2005. Estrategias tecnológicas en el Pleistoceno inferior de África
Oriental (Olduvai y Peninj, norte de Tanzania). PhD. Electronic format
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
Djaparidze, V.; Bosinski, G.; Bugianishvili, T.; Gabunia, L.; Justus, A.; Klopotoskaia,
N.; Kvavadze, E.; Lordkipanidze, D.; Majsuradze, G.; Mgeladze, N.; Nioradze, M.;
Pavlenishvili, E.; Schmincke,H.; Sologashvili, D.; Tushabramishvili, D.; Tvalchrelidze
M. and Vekua, A. 1989. Der altpaleolitishe Fundplatz Dmanisi in Georgien. Jahrbuch
des Römisch-Germanischen Zentralmuseums, Mainz, 36, 67–116.
Gabunia, L.; Antón, S.C.; Lordkipanidze, D.; Vekua, A.; Justus, A. and Swisher C.C.
2001. Dmanisi and Dispersal. Evolutionary Anthropology 10 (5), 158-170.
Hovers E. 2001. Territorial behavior in the Middle Paleolithic of the Southern Levant.
In Conard, N., ed., Settlement Dynamics of the Middle Paleolithic and Middle Stone

PT
Age. Tübingen Publications in Prehistory. Kerns Verlag: Tübingen; 123–152.
Isaac, G. L., Harris, J. W. K. and Kroll, E. M. 1997. The Stone Artefact Assemblages: A
Comparative Study. In G. L. Isaac, ed., Koobi Fora Research Project. Volume 5: Plio-

RI
Pleistocene Archaeology. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 262-362.
Kibunjia, M. 1994. Pliocene archaeological occurrences in the Lake Turkana Basin,
Kenya. Journal of Human Evolution, 27, 157-171

SC
Kibunjia, M., Roche, H., Brown, F. H. and Leakey, R. E. F. 1992. Pliocene and
Pleistocene archaeological sites west of Lake Turkana, Kenya. Journal of Human
Evolution, 23: 431-438.
Lordkipanidze, D.; Jashashvili, T.; Vekua, A.; Ponce de León, M.S.; Zollikofer, C.;

U
Rightmire, G.P.; Pontzer, H.; Ferring,R.; Oms, O.; Tappen, M.; Bukhsianidze, M.;
Agusti, J.; Kahlke, R.; Kiladze, G.; Martinez-Navarro, B.; Mouskhelishvili, A.;
AN
Nioradze M. and Rook L. 2007. Postcranial evidence from early Homo from Dmanisi,
Georgia. Nature, 449.
Mgeladze, A. 2008. Premières phases de peuplement dans le Caucase. Étude des
M

assemblages lithiques des sites géorgiens de Dmanissi (Pléistocène inférieur), de

Koudaro et de Tsona (Pléistocène moyen). Museum National d´Histoire Naturelle.
Thesis unpublished. Paris.
Odell, G. H. 2004. Lithic analysis New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum.
D

Pelegrin, J. and Roche, H. (2000). Evolution et cognition: le temoignage des pierres

taillées. Journée Scientifique de l´Association pour la Recherche Cognitive, Ecole
TE

Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications, Paris- 8 décembre 2000. Paris,

Electronic format.
Peresani, M. 1998. La variabilité du débitage discoïde dans la grotte de Fumane (Italie
EP

du nord). Paléo 10, 123-146.

Roche, H. 1989. Technological Evolution in Early Hominids. Ossa, 14, 97-98.
Roche, H. and Texier, P.-J. 1996. Evaluation of Technical Competence of Homo erectus
in East Africa During the Middle Pleistocene. In J. R. F. Bower and S. Sartorno, eds.,
C

Human Evolution in its Ecological Context. Leiden, Royal Netherlands Academy of

AC

Arts and Sciences, 153-167.

Roche, H., Brugal, J.-P., Delagnes, A., Feibel, C., Harmand, S., Kibunjia, M., Prat, S.
and Texier, P.-J. 2003. Les sites archéologiques plio-pléistocènes de la formation de
Nachukui, Ouest-Turkana, Kenya: bilan synthétique 1997-2001. Comptes Rendus
Palevol, 2: 663-673.
Semaw, S. 1997. Late Pliocene Archaeology of the Gona River Deposits, Afar,
Ethiopia. Rutgers University, New Jersey, Unpublished Ph.D.
Semaw, S. 2000. The World’s Oldest Stone Artefacts from Gona, Ethiopia: Their
Implications for Understanding Stone Technology and Patterns of Human Evolution
Between 2·6–1·5 Million Years Ago. Journal of Archaeological Science 27, 1197–1214
Semaw, S., Rogers, M. J., Quade, J., Renne, P., Butler, R. F., Domínguez-Rodrigo, M.,
Stout, D., Hart, W. S., Pickering, T. R. and Simpson, S. W. 2003. 2.6-Million-year-old
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
stone tools and associated bones from OGS-6 and OGS-7, Gona, Afar, Ethiopia.
Journal of Human Evolution, 45: 169-177.
Tappen, M., Lordkipanidze, D., Bukshianidze, M., Ferring R. 2007. Are You in or Out
(of Africa?). In T.R. Pickering, K. Schick and N. Toth, eds., Breathing Life into
Fossils: Taphonomic Studies in Honor of C.K. Brain. 119-135.
Texier, P.-J. 1996. Evolution and diversity in flaking techniques and methods in the
Palaeolithic. In Oltre la Pietra. Modelli e tecnologie per capire la Preistoria. Forli,
UISPP XIII Congres, Abaco, 297-321.
Tixier, J. Inizan, M. and Roche, H. 1980. Préhistoire de la pierre taillée, 1/terminologie

PT
et technologie, Valbonne, A.P.D.C.A.
Toth, N. 1982. The Stone Technologies of Early Hominids at Koobi Fora, Kenya; An
Experimental Approach. Berkeley, University of California, Unpublished Ph.D.

RI
U SC
AN
M
D
TE
C EP
AC
Figure 1
Click here to download high resolution image ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

PT
RI
U SC
AN
M
D
TE
C EP
AC
Figure 2
Click here to download high resolution image ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

PT
RI
U SC
AN
M
D
TE
C EP
AC
Figure 3
Click here to download high resolution image ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

PT
RI
U SC
AN
M
D
TE
C EP
AC
Figure 4
Click here to download high resolution image ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

PT
RI
U SC
AN
M
D
TE
C EP
AC
Figure 5
Click here to download high resolution image ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

PT
RI
U SC
AN
M
D
TE
C EP
AC
figure captions

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
Figure 1.- Technical and technological aspects. A. Schematic representation of scar
organization and dominant schemas in cluster one (yellow) and two (violet). B. General
percussion technique in cluster one. B. General percussion technique in cluster two.

Figure2.- A. Lithic raw material representation analyzed in deposits from Mashavera and
Pinezauri rives. B. Experimental evaluation of workability on different raw materials from
Mashavera and Pinezauri rivers, including examples of the qualities documented. C. Levallois
looks like core from old level II. The technical reading shows the discrepancies between final
morphological y and real organization of scars.

PT
Figure3.- Diachritic schemas of material from old level IV. Unidirectional and multipolar cores
(1,2,3 and 4), unidirectional flakes (5,8 and 9) multipolar flakes (6 and 7).

RI
Figure4.- Diachritic schemas of cores from old level II. The technological reading shows the
discrepancy between final core morphology and the scar organization.

SC
Figure 5.- Diachritic schemas of flakes and small retouched tools from old level II.

U
AN
M
D
TE
C EP
AC