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. 2015 Nov 19;370(1682):20140353.
doi: 10.1098/rstb.2014.0353.

A new type of anvil in the Acheulian of Gesher Benot Ya'aqov, Israel

Naama Goren-Inbar  1 , Gonen Sharon  2 , Nira Alperson-Afil  3 , Gadi Herzlinger  4
Affiliations

A new type of anvil in the Acheulian of Gesher Benot Ya'aqov, Israel

Naama Goren-Inbar et al. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. .

Abstract

We report here on the identification and characterization of thin basalt anvils, a newly discovered component of the Acheulian lithic inventory of Gesher Benot Ya'aqov (GBY). These tools are an addition to the array of percussive tools (percussors, pitted stones and anvils) made of basalt, flint and limestone. The thin anvils were selected from particularly compact, horizontally fissured zones of basalt flows. This type of fissuring produces a natural geometry of thick and thin slabs. Hominins at GBY had multiple acquisition strategies, including the selection of thick slabs for the production of giant cores and cobbles for percussors. The selection of thin slabs was carried out according to yet another independent and targeted plan. The thinness of the anvils dictated a particular range of functions. The use of the anvils is well documented on their surfaces and edges. Two main types of damage are identified: those resulting from activities carried out on the surfaces of the anvils and those resulting from unintentional forceful blows (accidents de travaille). Percussive activities that may have been associated with the thin anvils include nut cracking and the processing of meat and bones, as well as plants.

Keywords: Acheulian; Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov; anvils; percussive damage; percussive tools; procurement mode.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Thin basalt anvil (#16123; Layer II-6 level 2); (a) plane A with view of the pitted surface; (b) fracture in plane C and (c) another view of planes A and C. (Online version in colour.)
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Positioning method of thin basalt anvils (three-dimensional model) and their A, B and C planes (#5571; Layer II-6 level 1).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
3D model of thin basalt anvil (#7695; Layer II-6 level 6).
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Broken thin basalt anvil (#5889; Layer II-6 level 2). (Online version in colour.)
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Broken thin basalt anvil (#5883 Layer II-6 level 2). (Online version in colour.)
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Damage in the form of flake scars on thin basalt anvil (#7498; Layer II-6 level 1). (Online version in colour.)
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Location and direction of types of flaking damage on thin basalt anvils at GBY.
Figure 8.
Figure 8.
Size (in millimetres) of thin basalt anvils, giant cores and pitted stones; bubble size corresponds to the artefacts' thickness. (Online version in colour.)
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