Identifying a Knapping Signature for Lower Paleolithic Spheroid Reduction

Spheroids are Lower Paleolithic stone tools documented in African and Eurasian archeological sites ascribed to the later Oldowan and Acheulian cultural complexes. While reported since the 1960s, there is disagreement about how they were made, or whether their morphology resulted from non-intentional processes related to flake production or percussive activities. Recently, attention has turned towards resolving the issue of intentionality in spheroid production. Based on our observations of the large collection of limestone spheroids from the Early Acheulian site of ‘Ubeidiya (Levant), dated to ca. 1.4 Ma, we test the hypothesis that these were intentionally produced by attempting possible operative schemes for their manufacture. In addition to experimental knapping, we also provide a morphotechnological analysis of the products from each experiment, identifying typical flake morphologies and breakage patterns within each lithic set. In addition, refitting of each experimental lithic set provides a clear picture of the sequencing of gestures used by expert, experienced, and novice knappers, shedding new light on the decision-making processes leading up to the production of these enigmatic tool types.