| dc.description.abstract | This study was carried out to investigate the variableness in Acheulean handaxes based on
three factors, the choice of raw material used, the initial form and size of the raw material
before shaping out, and the reduction on the handaxes. The project aimed at establishing a
new method of looking at morphological variableness in an Acheulean handaxe collection,
and a new reason to consider the possibility that certain factors remained constant throughout
the years.
Metrical analysis was done on the handaxes, and a count of flake scars was done to quantify
the removal intensity based on the flake scars present. The handaxes were also categorized
into different raw materials and different initial forms of the raw materials used. The results
indicated that, the difference in size of handaxes in both collections from Kariandusi and
Lewa Downs was caused by the size and initial form of the raw material used before shaping
was started. The choice of raw material use was however based on which material was
abundant for use and still good for shaping. This also indicated that the larger handaxes were
made from the most available and more abundant raw materials to the makers.
It was evident from the results of this project that the makers of both collections from
Kariandusi and Lewa Downs both had the same reasoning in the choices they made. These
choices include the type of initial form that was more convenient for them to use, the size of
the raw material to use and the most convenient material to use in which they opted for the
more available, abundant and easily accessible raw material. An excavation is needed in
order to be able to get good metrical dates of the Lewa Downs collections and more advanced
methods of analysis such as use-wear analysis to be used on the collection to be able to
clearly understand the use of these tools. | en_US |
