The emergence of Late Acheulean pattern of bifact production and resharpening (on materials of Hugub locality, 600–500 ka, in Ethiopia)

Abstract

The Hugub open-air site in Ethiopia well-dated to between 600 and 500 ka yields the earliest securely dated and found in situ Late Acheulean archaeology in Africa. The studied lithic assemblage includes numerous, often diminutive broad-tipped ovate and pointed bifaces, many of which are made on large flakes. These show the earliest evidence of intensive on-site resharpening thru modification and edge rejuvenation as well as the earliest use of the plano-convex method of biface manufacture. This emergent pattern of biface production, maintenance, and discard is typical for the Late Acheulean related to post-erectus Homo, referred to as Homo heidelbergensis (for European forms) or Homo rhodesiensis (for African forms), as well as post-Acheulean industries, and has no analogs among earlier Acheulean populations of Homo erectus.