Revealing the functions of Pleistocene EXpedient OSseous TECHnology with an innovative approach that integrates tribology with AI

Introduction

Over the last two decades, growing evidence attests to the use of unmodified or partially modified bone fragments as tools by members of our lineage prior to the emergence of fully shaped, standardized bone tools. These simple tools, some of which date to 2.4 million years ago (Myr), were interpreted as items used for digging, piercing, cutting, or scraping.

Research Challenges

Definitive conclusions are difficult to reach without comprehensive evidence owing to the lack of adequate research strategies for investigating them. Indeed, we critically need quantitative replicable methods to infer their role in past cultural systems, which, in turn, would allow us to document their evolution in relation to other aspects of Pleistocene material culture.

Project Goals

ExOsTech aims to tackle this challenging task through the development and application of an innovative approach that integrates tribology with artificial intelligence to study use-wear patterns present on expedient osseous tools.

Methodological Approach

This methodological breakthrough relies on:

1. Discriminant analysis of surface textural data (ISO 25178) acquired by confocal microscopy.
2. Image recognition and multi-class neural network algorithms to precisely establish the function of expedient osseous tools.

Study Scope

This method will be applied to study assemblages from:

• Europe
• Southern Africa
• East Asia

These assemblages are dated between 1.8 million years ago (Ma) and 60 thousand years ago (ka).

Comparative Analysis

Cross-cultural comparisons of regional trajectories will be performed to establish:

• When expedient osseous tools became fully integrated into past cultural systems.
• When standardized behaviors guiding their selection and use emerged in our lineage.

Conclusion

Ultimately, ExOsTech will offer a new perspective on Pleistocene cultural dynamics that cannot otherwise be inferred solely from stone technology.