Random walks in handaxe knapping before 1.2 million years ago in East Africa at Melka Kunture (Upper Awash, Ethiopia)

Acheulean handaxe production before 1.2 million years ago at Melka Kunture (Ethiopia) did not follow a linear path of standardisation, contrary to long-standing assumptions. Analysis of three geographically and chronologically proximate assemblages revealed significant variability in morphology, shaping strategies, and raw material selection, indicating hominins' adaptability to immediate constraints and needs. This flexibility challenges the notion of evolutionary trends in handaxe manufacture, suggesting instead a dynamic response to varying conditions over short timeframes.

Méndez-Quintas, E., Melis, R. T., Altamura, F., Bello-Alonso, P., Serodio Domínguez, A., Debalike Belayneh, A., Salvini, R., Ambrosetti, G., & Mussi, M. (2026). Random walks in handaxe knapping before 1.2 million years ago in East Africa at Melka Kunture (Upper Awash, Ethiopia). PLOS One, 21(9), e0357880. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357880