Implications of Lower and Middle Pleistocene Hominin Bone Modification Patterns

This chapter presents a comparative review of research on Lower and Middle Pleistocene bone modification patterns, as well as a range of actualistic frames of reference. The butchery stand assemblages are also characterized by higher frequencies of cut marks on meaty upper limb elements relative to lower limb and foot bones. The cluster analysis based on ratios of cut marks on upper and lower limb bone ends to shafts shows some other dimensions of this case. Also, the taphonomic dynamics evident at FLK 22 might have lowered the numbers of observed cut marks on articular ends. The Middle Stone Age assemblages considered in this analysis also have much in common in terms of cut marks focused on meaty anatomical regions and on long bone shafts instead of articular ends.