I review five “vanished technologies” from southern Africa that have been brought to light through use-wear studies of bone tools. Most of the examples discussed here represent the first recognition of these technologies in the region and provide unique insights into the technological and behavioral repertoires of past humans and hominins. Hominin foraging and subsistence practices are inferred from the use-wear patterns on modified bones from four sites in the Cradle of Humankind. Early evidence for bow-and-arrow technology comes from Sibudu Cave and Klasies River Main site, with the evidence from the latter site extending the known distribution of this technology farther south. Use-wear has shown that modified bones, thought to have been pendants, were used in a manner more consistent with the production of sound and likely represent early musical instruments. In a similar vein, use-wear has shown that several bone points, conventionally interpreted as arrowheads, were used for domestic activities, such as making reed mats or baskets. Among some of the earliest state-level societies in southern Africa, the presence of bone hoes attests to the practice of small-scale garden agriculture, placing greater emphasis on individual agency within these complex societies. Use-wear studies continue to highlight the absurdity of attributing function based on shape.

中文翻译：

---

使用磨损分析揭示“消失的技术”

我回顾了五项来自南部非洲的“消失的技术”，这些技术是通过骨工具的磨损研究发现的。这里讨论的大多数例子代表了该地区对这些技术的首次认可，并提供了对过去人类和古人类的技术和行为曲目的独特见解。从人类摇篮中四个地点的改良骨骼的使用磨损模式推断出古人类的觅食和生存习惯。弓箭技术的早期证据来自 Sibudu Cave 和 Klasies River Main 遗址，后者的证据将这种技术的已知分布扩展到更南的地方。使用磨损表明，修改过的骨头，被认为是吊坠，以更符合声音产生的方式使用，并且可能代表早期的乐器。同样，使用磨损表明，几个骨尖，通常被解释为箭头，被用于家庭活动，例如制作芦苇垫或篮子。在南部非洲一些最早的州级社会中，骨锄的出现证明了小规模花园农业的实践，更加强调这些复杂社会中的个体能动性。使用磨损研究继续强调基于形状的归因功能的荒谬性。在南部非洲一些最早的州级社会中，骨锄的出现证明了小规模花园农业的实践，更加强调这些复杂社会中的个体能动性。使用磨损研究继续强调基于形状的归因功能的荒谬性。在南部非洲一些最早的州级社会中，骨锄的出现证明了小规模花园农业的实践，更加强调这些复杂社会中的个体能动性。使用磨损研究继续强调基于形状的归因功能的荒谬性。