Site formation processes of the early Acheulean assemblage at EF-HR (Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania)

This paper investigates the formation history of the early Acheulean site of EF-HR (Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania). Our study focuses on the main site (T2-Main Trench) and adjacent trenches (T12 and T9), which constitute the bulk of the archaeological assemblage recently excavated in the EF-HR area (de la...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Torre Sainz, Ignacio de la, Wehr, Karol
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/356936
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/356936
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Lithic taphonomy
GIS
Spatial analysis
Fluvial disturbance
Orientation patterns
Post-depositional processes
Descripción
Sumario:This paper investigates the formation history of the early Acheulean site of EF-HR (Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania). Our study focuses on the main site (T2-Main Trench) and adjacent trenches (T12 and T9), which constitute the bulk of the archaeological assemblage recently excavated in the EF-HR area (de la Torre et al., 2018a). Site formation processes are investigated through taphonomic proxies and spatial analysis, and consider artifact features, orientation patterns, and topographic data retrieved during archaeological excavation. This enables an assessment of the impact of natural agents on the assemblage and a discussion of the relevance of water disturbance in shaping the structure of the EF-HR archaeological record. Our results indicate that fluvial action over the assemblage was significant, although it is likely that EF-HR still preserves areas marginally affected by water sorting and rearrangement. In summary, by applying a novel approach that combines a systematic analysis of artifact attributes with GIS spatial analysis of archaeological remains and topographic features, our study aims to provide a fresh look at the interaction of human and natural agents in the formation of Early Stone Age assemblages at Olduvai Gorge.