Reconstructing Olduvai

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Reconstructing Olduvai: The Behavior of Early Humans at David's Site offers essential insights into the lifestyle of early humans, drawing on extensive excavations initiated by Mary Leakey at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. The discovery of David's Site, the largest early Pleistocene site globally, has enriched our understanding of hominin evolution. This resource is invaluable for students, academics, and researchers interested in early human behavior. Authored by current leaders in excavations at Olduvai, the book is organized into three parts for clarity. Part I presents the site, detailing its geological and palaeoecological reconstruction. Part II delves into hominin feeding habits, exploring how these early humans sourced, processed, and consumed animals. Part III investigates the technologies of hominins, specifically the reconstruction of stone-tool activities at the site. The content includes an introduction to David's Site, a reconstruction of the 1.84 million-year-old wooded habitat, and a historical overview of Olduvai Bed I archaeological research. Additionally, it features taphonomic and technological analyses that contribute to our understanding of early human behavior. The conclusions drawn from this research provide a comprehensive view of the advancements made at David's Site, enhancing our knowledge of early hominin lifeways.