Spatial behaviours of Early Oldowan toolmakers in the Shungura Formation (Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia): Proposal for an integrated approach

Early Oldowan toolmakers in the Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia, demonstrated evolving spatial behaviors over time, particularly between 2.3 and 2 million years ago. This study integrates archaeological and environmental data—including paleontological, geological, and isotopic records—to propose a multiscale approach that examines raw material procurement and hominid habitats at three levels: occurrence complexes, study areas, and the broader Shungura Formation. By analyzing Member F and lower Member G, researchers reveal how spatial behaviors adapted to changing environmental conditions, offering new insights into the ecological and technological dynamics of early human occupation in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Maurin, T., Delagnes, A., & Boisserie, J.-R. (2014). Spatial behaviours of Early Oldowan toolmakers in the Shungura Formation (Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia): Proposal for an integrated approach. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 13(8), 737–746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpv.2014.06.003