ABSTRACT
Much hominid behavioural research being carried out today still utilizes traditional typologically based frameworks, despite the fact that these typologies were not designed to provide data on issues such as hominid cognitive capacities, manual abilities, ranging patterns or land use. In Plio-Pleistocene artefact studies, the typology devised by Mary Leakey (1971) is still the predominant method of lithic analysis. This is surprising in the light of research that has shown the advantages offered by experimental approaches (Jones 1979, 1980, 1981; Stiles 1979; Keeley 1980; Toth 1982, 1985a, 1985b, 1987, 1991). As a general rule, however, the use of actualistic data in early hominid research is still the exception rather than the rule.
