Mid-Pleistocene Acheulean-like stone technology of the Bose basin, South China.
Stone artifacts from the Bose basin, South China, are associated with tektites dated to 803,000 +/- 3000 years ago and represent the oldest known large cutting tools (LCTs) in East Asia. Bose toolmaking is compatible with Mode 2 (Acheulean) technologies in Africa in its targeted manufacture and biased spatial distribution of LCTs, large-scale flaking, and high flake scar counts. Acheulean-like tools in the mid-Pleistocene of South China imply that Mode 2 technical advances were manifested in East Asia contemporaneously with handaxe technology in Africa and western Eurasia. Bose lithic technology is associated with a tektite airfall and forest burning.
Yamei
H
H
Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Box 643, Beijing 100044, China.
Potts
R
R
Baoyin
Y
Y
Zhengtang
G
G
Deino
A
A
Wei
W
W
Clark
J
J
Guangmao
X
X
Weiwen
H
H
D000349:Africa; D000818:Animals; D000883:Anthropology; D001106:Archaeology; D002681:China; D049690:History, Ancient; D015186:Hominidae; D006801:Humans