title: Fat residue and use-wear found on Acheulian biface and scraper associated with butchered elephant remains at the site of Revadim, Israel.
abstract: The archaeological record indicates that elephants must have played a significant role in early human diet and culture during Palaeolithic times in the Old World. However, the nature of interactions between early humans and elephants is still under discussion. Elephant remains are found in Palaeolithic sites, both open-air and cave sites, in Europe, Asia, the Levant, and Africa. In some cases elephant and mammoth remains indicate evidence for butchering and marrow extraction performed by humans. Revadim Quarry (Israel) is a Late Acheulian site where elephant remains were found in association with characteristic Lower Palaeolithic flint tools. In this paper we present results regarding the use of Palaeolithic tools in processing animal carcasses and rare identification of fat residue preserved on Lower Palaeolithic tools. Our results shed new light on the use of Palaeolithic stone tools and provide, for the first time, direct evidence (residue) of animal exploitation through the use of an Acheulian biface and a scraper. The association of an elephant rib bearing cut marks with these tools may reinforce the view suggesting the use of Palaeolithic stone tools in the consumption of large game.
authors.affiliation: The Jacob M. Alkow Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Natalya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Solodenko
authors.affiliation: The Jacob M. Alkow Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zupancich
authors.affiliation: Scientific Methodologies Applied to Cultural Heritage (SMATCH), ISMN-CNR c\o Dept. of Chemistry, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Stella Nunziante
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Cesaro
authors.affiliation: The Department of Bible, Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Ofer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Marder
authors.affiliation: Department of Classics, "La Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lemorini
authors.affiliation: The Jacob M. Alkow Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barkai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001106:Archaeology; D060435:Carnivory; D004032:Diet; D004606:Elephants; D005223:Fats; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D010163:Paleontology
chemical_list: D005223:Fats