Abstract
Employing an integrated approach to investigate the use of Late Lower Paleolithic flint tools found at the site of Qesem Cave (Israel), we revealed a particular trace pattern related to the employment of ashes at the site. Using a designated collection of replica items and combining use-wear and residue (morphological analysis, FTIR, SEM-EDX) analyses, we revealed the intentional use of ashes in preserving foods for delayed consumption as well as hide for delayed processing. Our interpretation, we believe is the most plausible one since we were able to delineate the specific use-wear fingerprints of the intentional use of ashes for such purposes, suggesting that our approach might be useful for the recognition of other similar functional-behavioral patterns. Lastly, in support of previous findings at Qesem Cave, our current findings present evidence for the processing of organic matters intentionally mixed with ash, leading us to suggest that the inhabitants of Qesem Cave were proficient not only in the habitual use of fire but also of its main by-product, ash. Hence, we call for a reassessment of the timeline currently assigned to hominins’ utilization of ash for storing and processing vegetal foods and hide.
Highlights
The adaptive role of fire in human evolution has inspired a rich archaeological debate focused on “when” and “where” fire had originated, as well as its benefits in facilitating light, heat, security and other aspects of human life [1,2,3]
Because most (23 of 26) of these items were found in the fireplace area and because ashes were found in site sediments [31], suggesting they were readily available at Qesem Cave, we hypothesized that ash could have caused this peculiar use-wear on the tools
The eight flint replicas were used in activities involving: (a) ash-free matters, (b) matters intentionally mixed with ash, and (c) matters worked in ashy environment. They were used in the processing of fresh ash-free hide (n = 1) (Fig 2d), fresh hide worked in an ashy environment (n = 1) (Fig 2e and Repository Video), raw hide preserved for a week in cold ash (n = 1), fresh ash-free underground storage organs (USOs) (n = 1), fresh USOs worked in an ashy environment (n = 2) (Fig 2b), raw USO preserved for a week in cold ash (n = 1) and roasted USO (n = 1)
Summary
The adaptive role of fire in human evolution has inspired a rich archaeological debate focused on “when” and “where” fire had originated, as well as its benefits in facilitating light, heat, security and other aspects of human life [1,2,3]. The archaeological evidence from Qesem Cave indicates a series of novel human behaviours, especially when compared to the predating Lower Paleolithic Acheulian This is evidenced by a plethora of lithic techno-typological innovations, among which are found largescale systematic blade production, the production of Quina and demi-Quina scrapers, largescale recycling of discarded flakes and blades as well as patinated items, and the recycling of bone fragments into retouchers, to name but a few such innovations [37,38,39,40,41,42]. The exceptionally well-preserved lithic industry at Qesem Cave, has allowed for past detailed use-wear investigations and the identification of various activities carried out with blades, Quina scrapers and the (small) products of recycled flakes and blades in various areas of the site in both Amudian and Yabrudian assemblages (S1 Table in S1 File) [38, 44,45,46,47,48]. No permits were required for the described study, which compiled with all relevant regulations
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