The behavioral complexity of early hominins is illuminated through the archaeological record associated with human fossils. One of the earliest known hominins, Homo habilis, or the "handy man," is widely regarded as the first toolmaker. This innovation in human evolution is marked by the creation of simple stone tools that belong to the Oldowan industry, named after the Olduvai Gorge, where these tools were first discovered. Although cutting tools, flakes, cores, and handaxes have been found alongside faunal remains, their usage for butchering animals appears to have been infrequent (Roche et al., 2009). Instead, early hominins likely engaged in scavenging rather than active hunting. These tools were versatile, and their utility extended beyond meat processing to include the preparation of plant materials. Despite their primitive appearance, Oldowan tools demonstrate variations in shape and flake production, indicating processes of learning and innovation (Braun et al., 2008a; 2008b; Roche et al., 2009).
The Origins of Stone Tool Use
The earliest evidence of stone tool use in human evolution dates back approximately 2.6 million years (Semaw et al., 2003). Cut marks on animal bones attributed to Australopithecus garhi suggest that tool use predates the emergence of the first Homo species by nearly a million years (Heinzelin et al., 1999). However, due to the paucity of sufficient archaeological evidence, Homo habilis continues to be honored as the earliest definitive toolmaker.
The Acheulian Industry: A Leap in Technology
The Acheulian industry represents a significant technological advancement in the archaeological record. Closely associated with Homo erectus and predominantly found on the African continent, this toolset is distinguished by the bifacial, teardrop-shaped handaxe. With their sharp edges, these tools were likely employed in tasks such as processing plant materials and separating animal skin, meat, and bone. Acheulian tools, requiring advanced skills to manufacture compared to Oldowan tools, reflect the growing cognitive and behavioral complexity of Homo erectus.
Interestingly, Acheulian technology is not uniformly distributed across regions inhabited by Homo erectus. For instance, while Homo erectus fossils are abundant in Dmanisi, Georgia, and eastern India, Acheulian tools are rare in these regions. This discrepancy has been attributed to the use of alternative materials for tools in regions with tropical climates, where organic materials may not have survived in the archaeological record. This east-west disparity in Acheulian tool distribution is referred to as the Movius Line, named after the archaeologist Hallam Movius who first identified this pattern (Movius, 1948).
The Role of Meat Consumption in Early Hominin Behavior
The development of stone tool technology coincided with changes in dietary behavior, particularly an increased reliance on meat. Homo erectus exhibited dental adaptations that supported this shift, including thicker cusps on molars, which were advantageous for crushing tough foods (Ungar, 2004; 2012). This dental morphology may also reflect an ability to process meat effectively (Ungar & Scott, 2009). However, microwear analyses of teeth do not consistently support the hypothesis that early hominins consumed tough foods regularly. Instead, variations in dental morphology likely correspond to the diverse environmental contexts in which different hominin populations lived (Ungar & Scott, 2009).
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