Geoarchaeological analysis of an acheulean site at Kalambo Falls, Zambia

Abstract

Abstract Acheulean sites are commonly recovered from sandy channel contexts, particularly in Africa. These sites frequently contain impressive concentrations of artifacts dominated by typical Acheulean large bifacial artifacts (‘handaxes,’ etc.). Possible influences of fluvial sedimentary processes in Acheulean site formation are explored through consideration of sedimentary context and detailed analysis of relevant artifact assemblage characteristics in part of a major Acheulean ‘Floor’ at Kalambo Falls, Zambia. The Kalambo Falls patterns are analyzed here with regard to influences of behavioral and natural processes in their formation, and are compared to those observed in Acheulean horizons at Montagu Cave, South Africa. Spatial concentration of bifaces and paucity of debitage at many Acheulean sites may be due largely to fluvial disturbance and winnowing, although a hominid preoccupation with large bifacial tools may be a bona fide behavior pattern at some sites. Better control over sedimentary context is necessary to elucidate the range of behaviorally‐produced patterns at Acheulean sites.

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