A Reexamination of the Oldowan’s Origin Using Hominin Diversity and Environmental Variability in Eastern Africa
Open AccessSince the discovery of Homo habilis at Olduvai Gorge in 1964, it has been largely accepted that genus Homo was responsible for the advent of Oldowan technology (L.S.B Leakey et al., 1964; Susman, 1991). Leakey (1959) initially hypothesized that P. boisei (formerly Zinjanthropus boisei) authored the Oldowan because it was the only hominin known from that time period. Later, after the discovery of larger-brained Homo specimens (OH 7, OH 16, OH 24), the discoverers of H. habilis suggested that this species was the author of Oldowan technology. Leakey (and later Tobias) suggested that H. habilis produced the Oldowan because of A) its larger cranial capacity and reduced masticatory adaptations compared to the australopiths (Susman, 1991), and B) the discovery of hand bones with morphological characteristics interpreted to indicate the capacity for the type of precision grip seen in anatomically modern humans (AMH) (Napier, 1962; L.S.B Leakey et al., 1964). This assessment was behaviorally and morphologically consistent with the idea that only the genus Homo was capable of stone tool manufacture (L.S.B Leakey et al., 1964; Wood and Collard, 1999). As new evidence surfaces from the human paleontological and archaeological record, it is necessary to reevaluate the premise that H. habilis was the author of the Oldowan. This project aims to reevaluate which species may have engaged in the manufacture of the Oldowan technocomplex by calculating the potential origination of species found contemporaneously with Oldowan assemblages in eastern Africa.
- All rights reserved
Notice to Authors
If you are the author of this work and you have any questions about the information on this page, please use the Contact form to get in touch with us.