| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/Z534316/1 |
| Title: |
Revealing Prehistoric Human Behavior: A Novel Biomechanical Study of Paleolithic Ergonomics and Hand-Stone Tool Interactions |
| Principal Investigator: |
Key, Dr A |
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| Department: |
McDonald Institute Archaeological Res. |
| Organisation: |
University of Cambridge |
| Scheme: |
UKRI Postdoc Guarantee TFS |
| Starts: |
01 August 2024 |
Ends: |
31 July 2026 |
Value (£): |
206,086
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Paleolithic stone tools offer an invaluable source of evidence for comprehending the behavior and evolution of Pleistocene hominins and Holocene modern humans. By examining their morphological properties and technological characteristics, we gain insights into various aspects, ranging from the evolutionary trajectory of human cognition to changes in diet, social systems, and landscape utilization. It's essential to remember that every stone tool ever crafted was intended for use by the human (or early hominin) hand, making the understanding of musculoskeletal aspects related to effective and safe tool usage critical in interpreting what these technologies reveal about early humans. Currently, testing these hypotheses is challenging due to the limited availability of published data on the ergonomic relationship between stone tool features and the biomechanical and morphological aspects of the human hand. To address this gap, the PALEOERGO project proposes a scientific approach that combines experimental archaeology with cutting-edge techniques in archaeological research. The project aims to tackle long-standing questions concerning the ergonomic relationship between the human hand and the use and production of stone tools. Employing a groundbreaking biomechanical perspective, the PALEOERGO project focuses on Lower and Middle Paleolithic stone tool artifacts. Through ergonomic theory and a large-scale experiment, this research endeavor seeks to establish a biomechanically grounded baseline for understanding stone tool use. By doing so, it provides a deeper understanding of the human experience with these ancient tools and sheds light on the behavior and capabilities of our early ancestors.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.cam.ac.uk |