Neolithic stone tool production in Sudan was quite diverse but exhibited high standards of production, as exemplified by the adze-like artifacts called “gouges”. Drawing on data from several sites in Jebel Sabaloka, and comparative data from Shaheinab and Sheikh el-Amin, our paper examines the economy of gouge production from a technological point of view. More specifically, we discuss the process of gouge production and distribution through the study of raw material sourcing and methods of manufacture. We determine that the Neolithic people of central Sudan preferred rhyolites for the manufacture of gouges and that the production was highly standardized. We also examine the implications of gouge production for understanding Neolithic social networks in the region.

中文翻译：

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凿子：苏丹中部新石器时代早期的标志性文物

苏丹的新石器时代石器生产非常多样化，但表现出高标准的生产，例如被称为“凿子”的锹状人工制品。利用来自 Jebel Sabaloka 多个地点的数据以及来自 Shaheinab 和 Sheikh el-Amin 的比较数据，我们的论文从技术角度考察了凿岩生产的经济性。更具体地说，我们通过对原材料采购和制造方法的研究来讨论气刨生产和分销的过程。我们确定苏丹中部的新石器时代人民更喜欢使用流纹岩制造凿子，并且生产高度标准化。我们还研究了凿岩生产对理解该地区新石器时代社会网络的影响。