A Dynamical Analysis of the Suitability of Prehistoric Spheroids from the Cave of Hearths as Thrown Projectiles

Wilson, Andrew D, Zhu, Qin, Barham, Lawrence ORCID: 0000-0002-5474-4668, Stanistreet, Ian and Bingham, Geoffrey P (2016) A Dynamical Analysis of the Suitability of Prehistoric Spheroids from the Cave of Hearths as Thrown Projectiles SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 6 (1). 30614-. ISSN 2045-2322, 2045-2322

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Abstract

Spheroids are ball-shaped stone objects found in African archaeological sites dating from 1.8 million years ago (Early Stone Age) to at least 70,000 years ago (Middle Stone Age). Spheroids are either fabricated or naturally shaped stones selected and transported to places of use making them one of the longest-used technologies on record. Most hypotheses about their use suggest they were percussive tools for shaping or grinding other materials. However, their size and spherical shape make them potentially useful as projectile weapons, a property that, uniquely, humans have been specialised to exploit for millions of years. Here we show (using simulations of projectile motions resulting from human throwing) that 81% of a sample of spheroids from the late Acheulean (Bed 3) at the Cave of Hearths, South Africa afford being thrown so as to inflict worthwhile damage to a medium-sized animal over distances up to 25 m. Most of the objects have weights that produce optimal levels of damage from throwing, rather than simply being as heavy as possible (as would suit other functions). Our results show that these objects were eminently suitable for throwing, and demonstrate how empirical research on behavioural tasks can inform and constrain our theories about prehistoric artefacts.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	37 Earth Sciences, 4301 Archaeology, 43 History, Heritage and Archaeology, 3705 Geology
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	03 Nov 2016 11:52
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 10:13
DOI:	10.1038/srep30614
Open Access URL:	http://www.nature.com/articles/srep30614
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3004317
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