Abstract
Stone tools in the prehistoric record are the most abundant source of evidence for understanding early hominin technological and cultural variation. The field of primate archaeology is well placed to improve our scientific knowledge by using the tool behaviours of living primates as models to test hypotheses related to the adoption of tools by early stone-age hominins. Previously we have shown that diversity in stone tool behaviour between neighbouring groups of long-tailed macaques (Macaca-fascicularis) could be explained by ecological and environmental circumstances (Luncz et al., 2017b). Here however, we report archaeological evidence, which shows that the selection and reuse of tools cannot entirely be explained by ecological diversity. These results suggest that tool-use may develop differently within species of old-world monkeys, and that the evidence of material culture can differ within the same timeframe at local geographic scales and in spite of shared environmental and ecological settings.
Highlights
The cultural evolution of early hominins is investigated through the identification of archaeological evidence, primarily in the form of stone artefacts and bones (Leakey, 1971; Schick and Toth, 1994)
The stone tool variation of the macaque populations of Boi Yai Island and Lobi Bay are separated into two categories; use wear by prey and size of tools selected by prey
This study explores potential factors behind the variation in percussive stone tool use of two wild macaque populations from adjacent islands in the Ao Phang Nga National Park in Thailand
Summary
The cultural evolution of early hominins is investigated through the identification of archaeological evidence, primarily in the form of stone artefacts and bones (Leakey, 1971; Schick and Toth, 1994). Percussive stone tool use is practiced by a few species of non-human primates These include Western chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes verus, (Boesch and Boesch, 1990; Sugiyama and Koman, 1979), bearded capuchin monkeys, Sapajus libidinosus, (Fragaszy et al, 2004; Ottoni and Izar, 2008; Falotico and Ottoni, 2016; Luncz et al, 2016a), long-tailed macaques Macaca fascicularis, (Malaivijitnond et al, 2007; Gumert et al, 2009; Luncz et al, 2017a) and one group of white faced capuchin monkeys, Cebus capucinus imitator (Barrett et al, 2018).
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