Lethal threshold : the evolutionary implications of Middle Pleistocene wooden spears
This thesis provides empirical data pertaining to the use of the earliest weapons in the archaeological record, which are a collection of plain wooden spears dating to the Middle Pleistocene. These weapons have been variously interpreted as objects for scavenging, hunting and self-defence. It is important to test these functional interpretations with a multi-disciplinary data-led approach, as these interpretations have implications for theories on the origins of human hunting, shifts in cognition, social structures and language. This is the first time a systematic, holistic approach to these artefacts has been taken, and is timely as several of the key sites of the period are currently undergoing further detailed analysis, resulting in reinterpretations of human behaviours during Middle Pleistocene. In this document the performance of these artefacts is addressed through three research strands. The archaeological strand looks at both wooden spears as well as potential hunting lesions from their use. The approach to these include qualitative and quantitative analyses. The ethnographic strand comprises a review of the literature pertaining to the use of wooden spears in pre-industrialised societies. Alongside
Milks, Annemieke Giselle
Lethal threshold : the evolutionary implications of Middle Pleistocene wooden spears. This thesis provides empirical data pertaining to the use of the earliest weapons in the archaeological record, which are a collection of plain wooden spears dating to the Middle Pleistocene. These weapons have been variously interpreted as objects for scavenging, hunting and self-defence. It is important to test these functional interpretations with a multi-disciplinary data-led approach, as these interpretations have implications for theories on the origins of human hunting, shifts in cognition, social structures and language. This is the first time a systematic, holistic approach to these artefacts has been taken, and is timely as several of the key sites of the period are currently undergoing further detailed analysis, resulting in reinterpretations of human behaviours during Middle Pleistocene. In this document the performance of these artefacts is addressed through three research strands. The archaeological strand looks at both wooden spears as well as potential hunting lesions from their use. The approach to these include qualitative and quantitative analyses. The ethnographic strand comprises a review of the literature pertaining to the use of wooden spears in pre-industrialised societies. Alongside
threshold evolutionary implication middle_pleistocene wooden spear provide_empirical data pertain use early weapon archaeological_record collection plain wooden spear date middle_pleistocene weapon variously interpreted object hunt self defence important test functional interpretation multi_disciplinary data led interpretation implication theory origins human hunting shifts cognition social_structure language first_time systematic holistic artefact take timely several_key site period currently undergo detail_analysis result reinterpretation human_behaviour middle_pleistocene document performance artefact address_three strand archaeological strand look wooden spear well potential hunting lesion use include qualitative_quantitative analysis ethnographic strand comprise review_literature pertain use wooden spear pre industrialised society alongside