Exotic mineals or ostrich gastroliths. An alternative explanation for some early evidence of Hominin non-utilitarian behavior at Wonderwerk Cave, South Africa

• Autores: Christian Tryon
• Localización: Journal of taphonomy, ISSN 1696-0815, Vol. 8, Nº. 2-3, 2010, págs. 259-266
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Identifying the onset of symbolic or non-utilitarian behavior remains one of the most important issues in the moder human origins debate, and as such early evidencerequires careful scrutiny. "Exotic minerals" dating to >350 ka are one of several possible indications of hominin non-utilitarian behavior from Wonderwerk Cave, South Africa. Ecological data suggest an alternate hypothesis that these "exotic minerals" are ostrich gastroliths accidentally introduced into the cave rather than the result of hominin collection and transport.