Uniformity and Diversity in Handaxe Shape at the End of the Acheulean in Southwest Asia

This study examines parameters, causes, and spatio-temporal patterns of handaxe shape variation from Tabun cave in the Levant, Khall Amayshan 4B Khabb Musayyib northern Arabia. These assemblages span range most pointy to rounded handaxes found anywhere during Acheulean. The AGMT3D program is used conduct high resolution geometric morphometric analysis form 3D models. Shape tested against blank type, allometry, reduction intensity. None these factors appears be a strong influence, but there are significant assemblage-wise differences form, suggesting different shapes were intentionally produced. quantifies pattern diversity versus low shorter occupations at Arabian sites. We suggest possible explanations emerging specificity utilitarian functions, as well manifestation social identities artefacts end