The Early Acheulean ~1.6–1.2 Ma from Gona, Ethiopia: Issues related to the Emergence of the Acheulean in Africa

Abstract

Konso in Ethiopia and Kokiselei in Kenya, both dated to ~1.7 million years ago (Ma), and FLK West, a recently reported site from Olduvai dated to 1.7 Ma, are the earliest Acheulean sites known in East Africa. Ongoing archaeological investigations at Gona, in the AfarAfar Depression of Ethiopia, have also produced early AcheuleanAcheulean early stone assemblages at several sites, estimated to ~1.6–1.2 Ma. A number of sites, including BSN-12BSN-12 and OGS-12Gona Ounda Gona OGS-12 , have yielded archaeological materials comparable to the earliest Konso artifacts. The stone assemblages from the Gona sites consist of crudely made handaxes, cleaversCleavers , and picksPicks , as well as Mode I (Oldowan) cores, and débitage. A variety of raw materials were exploited at Gona, with trachyteTrachyte , rhyoliteRhyolite , and basalt being the most common. Our understanding of the behavioral and ecological background for the emergence of the Acheulean is still limited. Preliminary comparisons of BSN-12BSN-12 and OGS-12Gona Ounda Gona OGS-12 with other early Acheulean sites demonstrate variabilityVariability in paleoecological settings as well as raw material use. Current archaeological evidence indicates that early Homo erectus/ergaster use of this new technology was already in place in East Africa ~1.75 Ma. At Gona and elsewhere in Africa, continued survey and excavations are needed to document sites with potential for yielding archaeological traces that will help our understanding of the Oldowan–Acheulean transition, the identity of the toolmakers, and the function of the early Acheulean Large Cutting Tools (LCTs).