Wild macaques challenge the origin of intentional tool production
Abstract
Intentionally produced sharp-edged stone flakes and flaked pieces are
our primary evidence for the emergence of technology in our lineage.
This evidence is used to decipher the earliest hominin behavior,
cognition, and subsistence strategies. Here, we report on the largest
lithic assemblage associated with a primate foraging behavior
undertaken by long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). This
behavior results in a landscape-wide record of flaked stone material,
almost indistinguishable from early hominin flaked pieces and flakes.
It is now clear that the production of unintentional conchoidal
sharp-edged flakes can result from tool-assisted foraging in
nonhominin primates. Comparisons with Plio-Pleistocene lithic
assemblages, dating from 3.3 to 1.56 million years ago, show that
flakes produced by macaques fall within the technological range of
artifacts made by early hominins. In the absence of behavioral
observations, the assemblage produced by monkeys would likely be
identified as anthropogenic in origin and interpreted as evidence of intentional tool production.
Open access:
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ade8159
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