At a Glance
- Researchers found ancient stone tools called Quina scrapers, dating back 400,000 years, used by early humans to process fallow deer at Jaljulia and Qesem Cave sites.
- As elephants disappeared from the region, ancient hunters adapted their technology to hunt smaller and faster prey like fallow deer, developing specialized tools.
- The Quina scrapers were crafted from non-local flint sourced from the Mountains of Samaria, believed to be the calving grounds for fallow deer. This indicates the significance of this region for prehistoric hunters.
- The study highlights early human technological advancements and cultural beliefs.
- The research emphasizes the connection between ancient humans, animals, tools, and landscapes, providing insights into the practical and symbolic significance of Paleolithic tools and prey animals.
Tel Aviv University researchers have uncovered ancient stone tools dating back 400,000 years, used by early humans to process fallow deer. These tools, known as Quina scrapers, were discovered at Jaljulia and Qesem Cave sites. The Quina scrapers, named after a French site where they were first found, featured a sharp edge resembling scales, allowing hunters to butcher prey and work with hides efficiently.
As elephants vanished from the region, ancient hunters had to adapt their technology to target smaller and faster game like fallow deer. The study revealed that the Quina scrapers were crafted from non-local flint sourced from the Mountains of Samaria, believed to be the calving grounds for fallow deer. This shift in prey prompted the development of specialized tools to meet the new hunting and processing demands.
The researchers suggest that Mounts Ebal and Gerizim, near Nablus, held significance for prehistoric hunters during the Paleolithic era. Led by Vlad Litov and Prof. Ran Barkai, the study sheds light on early humans’ technological advancements and cultural beliefs. The findings were published in the journal Archaeologies.
By analyzing evidence from Jaljulia and Qesem Cave, the researchers linked the emergence of Quina scrapers to changes in hunting practices. These tools, often made from non-local flint found in the Samarian highlands, played a crucial role in human subsistence after the disappearance of large game. The study highlights the interconnectedness between ancient humans, animals, tools, and landscapes, offering insights into the practical and symbolic significance of Paleolithic tools and prey animals.
References
- Litov, V., & Barkai, R. (2024). The Stone, the Deer, and the Mountain: Lower Paleolithic Scrapers and Early Human Perceptions of the Cosmos. Archaeologies, 20(1), 106–146. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11759-024-09493-w
- Tel-Aviv University. (2024, June 3). Researchers discover 400,000-year-old stone tools designed specifically for butchering fallow deer in Israel. Phys.Org; Tel-Aviv University. https://phys.org/news/2024-06-year-stone-tools-specifically-butchering.html
