Finding handaxe homogeneity from the expedient assemblage in Korea

Abstract

The symmetrical perspective is crucial for understanding human behavior. Paleolithic handaxes are a good candidate for such a quantitative analysis. To avoid individual and arbitrary judgments, a more objective method is required. Recently, plausible means of metrical measurements have been introduced. One of them, the ‘flip test’, is used to quantify various aspects of Korean Paleolithic handaxes.

Normally, the handaxes in Korea are from the assemblage which dominated by expediently made core and flake tools. Unlike typical Acheulean handaxes, the handaxes from Korea do not show strong standardization tendency. The primary question is whether the strong pattern of variation in a continuous single direction or not (e.g. an increasing degree of symmetry with decreasing site age would indicate increased cultural and technological complexity). However, the results do not fully demonstrate a significant relationship. In other words, symmetrical homogeneity has been observed.