Ain Hanech

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Journal of Archaeological Science (1998) 25, 10831101Article No. as980278

The Site of Ain Hanech Revisited: New Investigations at thisLower Pleistocene Site in Northern Algeria

Mohamed Sahnouni

Area de Prehistoria, University of Rovira i Virgili, Place Imperial Tarraco, 43005 Tarrogona, Spain

Jean de Heinzelin

Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique, 29 rue Vautier, Brussels 1040, Belgium

(Received 15 October 1997, revised manuscript accepted 12 January 1998 )

New archaeological investigations have been carried out at the Oldowan site of Ain Hanech in northeast Algeria. Thearchaeological horizons are delineated and positioned relative to the regional stratigraphy. Preliminary palaeomagneticanalysis reveals normal polarity for the Oldowan occurrences that may be correlated with the Olduvai subchron on theindication of the vertebrate faunal biozonation. Broken up bones associated with stone artefacts and contained in a siltydeposit mixed with sand and gravels were excavated from two archaeological sites. The bone assemblage includesequids, bovids, elephant, and rhinoceros, and dominated by Equus tabeti. Taphonomic patterns indicate that boneswere buried rapidly over a period of years and while the site was occupied. The lithic artefacts are fresh and representa coherent assemblage, including small debitage. The artefacts, made of limestone and flint, include flaked cobbles,whole flakes, various fragments, and retouched pieces. A microwear study, undertaken on pieces made of flint, indicatesthe use of two simple flakes and of one denticulate for meat processing. The stone artefact assemblage may beconsidered as a North African variant of the Oldowan. 1998 Academic Press

Keywords: AIN HANECH, EARLY PALAEOLITHIC, OLDOWAN, ALGERIA, NORTH AFRICA.

Introduction

The Ain Hanech site was discovered in 1947 bythe French palaeontologist Camille Arambourgin the course of his palaeotological survey of the

region around the town of Setif in northeastern Algeria(Arambourg, 1947) (Figure 1). This site yielded aLower Pleistocene fauna associated with Mode I tech-nology artefacts (Arambourg, 1949a,b,c). The faunaincluded elephants, equids, bovids, hippo and rhino(Arambourg, 1970, 1979). The described artefactsthen consisted primarily of flaked polyhedrons, andspheroids similar to some known at Olduvai Gorge

(Bed I/Lower Bed II) (Sahnouni, 1985, 1987, 1993).This was the first time that an Early Pleistocene faunawas found associated with Lower Palaeolithic artefactsin North Africa.

However, in the absence of any systematic excava-tion techniques and of precise documentation, severalquestions remained unresolved, including: (1) preciseand accurate stratigraphical information regardingthe site and its surroundings; (2) age of the sedimentsand associated materials; (3) nature of the associationbetween fossil bones and artefacts; and (4) overallbehavioural implications of the archaeologicaloccurrences.

To explore these questions new investigations werecarried out at the Ain Hanech locality in 1992 and1993. They consisted of surveying the area, conductingarchaeological excavations at areas adjacent to theoriginal site and at newly discovered localities nearby,studying the stratigraphy and sampling for palaeo-magnetic analysis, assessing taphonomic patterns ofanimal bones, identifying the agents responsible forthe concentration of the archaeological material, andanalysing the artefact assemblage.

Stratigraphy and Dating

The stratigraphical investigations were centred on theupper reaches of the Ain Boucherit valley (Figure 1).The stratigraphical divisions are still in the informalstage and need to be substantiated more precisely. Interms of regional stratigraphy, three successive sedi-mentary formations were recognized, plus a variety ofpalaeosols, calcretes and colluvia which mantle dis-sected surfaces (Figure 2). Only one formation isformally defined, the Ain Hanech formation.

Oued Laatach formation (informal)

This formation consists of over 100 m of poorlystratified claysilt sediments with occasional lenses or

108303054403/98/111083+ 19 $30.00/0 1998 Academic Press


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interbeds of sands, conglomerates, bleached horizons,and perhaps travertines. The colour is often yellowishred (5YR 5/6), at places darker or pure red (argilesrutilantes). This formation extends to the north,mantling the edges of the Beni Fouda basin whichwas not included in our study. It probably results

from the internal infilling of the Beni Fouda basinwhen it was actively subsident; the directions offlow are unknown. The palaeotopography ispresently affected by a structural slope of about4 West.

Oued Boucherit formation (informal)

This formation is named after Arambourgs excava-tion of the palaeontological site of Ain Boucherit(Lower Villafranchian c. Upper Pliocene). It consistsof rather sudden increases of coarse sands, lenses ortongues of very coarse, high energy conglomerates

often cemented by carbonates; interbeds of silts com-monly reddish yellow (5YR 7/6), and interbeds oflacustrine limestone. The fossil fauna recovered atAin Boucherit derives from the upper part of thisformation. Fossil animal bones were encountered atdifferent places in the same formation. The directionof flow of the sediments is perceptible by ampleevidence of sedimentary slope of interbeds facingsouth in a context of high energy deposits, the rapidinfilling of a structural depression in front of theTellian Atlas.

Ain Hanech formation (formal)

This formation is named after Arambourgsexcavations of the site of Ain Hanech, on the rightbank of Ain Boucherit and extended to the type sectionon the left bank. The lower contact with the precedingformation is almost everywhere concealed. It is appar-ently erosional. The change of sediments (texture andcolour) and of diagenetic processes is diagnostic.

The type section on the left bank of Ain Boucheritis 30 m thick, of which the central part is covered(Figure 3). The sedimentation turned cyclothemic,fluvio-riverine with temporary expanses of very shal-low water. The direction of flow of the sedimentsmight have turned north. We recognized five to six

sedimentary units: O=upper contact only; P andQ=from coarse gravel to claysilt, thick, complex; R,S, and T=more regularly cyclothemic each with astratified medium energy lower part, and a siltysomewhat weathered upper part. The description ofthe type section is given in Appendix 1; lateral corre-lations are restricted to excavated areas at visibledistance.

However, it is clear that we have to deal with asuccession of stabilizing floodplains near the end of theinfilling of some intramontane basin, possibly the sameBeni Fouda basin as before after several episodes oftilting. In such a palaeogeographical context, we can

Algiers

Ain Hanech farm

Oued Boucherit

N

R.N. 5

El-Eulma

1/100,000

2

3

4

1Camp

Sillegue

NOued

Laatach

Algiers

ALGERIA

From air picture at about1/50 000: 94 72 200 049

1 = Type section

2 = Ain Hanech locality

3 = El-Kherba locality

4 = Ain Boucherit locality

Figure 1. Geographical location of the Ain Hanech site and studyarea.

1084 M. Sahnouni and J. de Heinzelin


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visualize broad expanses of flat land and changingnetworks of fluvial distributary channels, among whichearly man wandered in search of food supply. Under aprobably mild climate, a variety of biotopes wereavailable, from shallow waterplaces to marshes, grass,shrubs and forest galleries and correspondingly a vari-ety of faunal assemblages. The foregoing situationsderive from the interpretations of the archaeologicalprofiles that follow.

Complex of surfacial formations (undefined)

The complex of surfacial formations starts with theprogressive dissection of the landscape. The upper partof the Ain Hanech type section illustrates the varietyof features, including pebbles and gravels variouslyincorporated, several calcretes (crusts, blocky, ruin-shaped), decalcifying palaeosol and lateral pendants,colluvia varying in colour and content. The calcrete

20

80

1 Type section [left bank]

0

20

40

602 Excavation Ain Hanech [right bank]

3 Excavation El Kherba [right bank]

4 Excavation Ain Boucherit [ex-Arambourg, left bank]

J. de H. 24 Aug. 1993

Ain Boucherit

Oued Laatach

Top Landscape

23

Camp

Ain Hanech

4

Calcretes andColluvia

S N

Elevations 5

1

m

Figure 2. Synthetic view of the regional stratigraphy.

0

28J. de H. Aug. 1993

2

4

6

1012

14

O

P Q/P

8

16

18

20

22

24

26

Southern spur

T SUP

S

R

Q

?

Central part covered

Paleosol

SUP

INF

SUPINF

Colluvium A ColluviumB

Calcrete

Northern spur

T INF

S

R

m

Figure 3. Ain Hanech formation type section.

Site of Ain Hanech Revisited 1085


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cementation sealed the southern part of the Beni

Fouda Basin from Ain Boucherit locality to the townof El-Eulma in the south. Later deposits, consistingprincipally of Capsian sites (human occupation occur-ring in the Late Palaeolithic or Epipalaeolithic) are onbuttes and interfluves.

Stratigraphical profiles of archaeological localities

The stratigraphical profile of Ain Hanech locality, atotal thickness of about 3 m, from base to top, includesthe following features (Figure 4). (1) At the basis alayer of finely mottled silt with few calcic grains. The

colour is white (10YR 8/1). There is no soil structure.The upper contact is marked by a thin calcic layer,perhaps a secondary deposit. (2) There is very hetero-geneous and heterometric gravel in a mixture of sand,calcic granules, silt lenses. Fossil bones between gravelsbear pressure marks and deterioration. The mode oftransportation of large (multidecimetric) blocks is inquestion, they are probably manuports. (3) Mottledwhite (10YR 8/2) silts cap the gravel layer describedabove; they contain animal bones and stone artefacts.(4) The mottled silt is overlaid by three successivesandy layers interbedded with mottled silt. Traces ofbioturbation diminish from base to top. (5) The upper

part is 120 m thick and consists of mottled white

(10YR 8/2) and light reddish brown silts (5YR 6/4).This layer includes vertical traces of roots and vaguereduced traces of tree stumps.

The other excavated locality is the newly discoveredsite of El-Kherba situated about 350 m south of theclassic site of Ain Hanech. The deposits are about120 m thick, and are characterized by an unusualmixture of totally unsorted sediment, vaguely lesscoarse near the top, loaded with rolled and angulargravels (Figure 4). Artefacts, chips of stone and bonesare in various positions, incorporated in a mottled siltymatrix; there are mottles and carbonate lumps, moreor less decalcified, traces of decayed organisms and

trampling. In the upper part, larger mottled structuressimulate sliding or mud flow. The colour near 060 mdepth is yellow (10YR 7/6) to very pale brown (7/4),reddish yellow (75YR 7/6), and pure white. The colournear 110 m depth is light grey (10YR 7/2) and morereduced, pure white.

Based mainly upon direct altimetric evidence, acorrelation of Ain Hanech and El-Kherba excavationswith Unit T of the Ain Hanech formation type sectionon the left bank is highly probable. There are slightdifferences in facies and, as usual in fluviatile deposits,some overlap in time and heterochrony can be expectedwithin a single unit.

Colluvium

Bioturbations

Ain Hanech

267

J. de H. Aug 1993cm

450

400

350

300

250

200ElKherba

282

Bioturbations

S

T

cm

500

400

300

200

Typesectionleftbank

Cal

crete

Figure 4. Stratigraphical profiles of the archaeological localities, and their correlation with the Ain Hanech formation type section.



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Stratigraphical position of the Acheulean occurrences

Acheulean occurrences were suspected to be associatedwith the Oldowan when some participants in the IIPanafrican Congress collected several bifaces fromthe surface in the immediate vicinity of Ain Hanechexcavation (Arambourg, 1953, 1955; Arambourg &Balout, 1952). Currently, based upon stratigraphical aswell as archaeological evidence, we firmly believe thatAcheulean occurrences are entirely independent fromthe Ain Hanech Oldowan culture proper. It is in thesame general area that isolated surface finds ofAcheulean bifaces were collected by one of us (M.S.),some of which bear calcrete concretions. There isno doubt that those bifaces derive from calcretes,palaeosols and colluvia on dissected surfaces, locatedhigher up in the stratigraphical sequence. They have norelationship whatsoever in time and space with theOldowan horizons; therefore, they represent a laterphase of hominid occupation.

Dating

Sediments from the Ain Hanech type section on the leftbank as well as from the archaeological horizon on theright bank were sampled for palaeomagnetic analysisby one of us (MS), and thereafter analysed by F. H.Brown (University of Utah). The results reveal a shiftfrom reversed polarity in units P, Q and R to normal inunit S and those containing the Oldowan occurrences(Figure 5). Taking into account the Villafranchianaffinities of the vertebrate fauna (Table 1) and thearchaeological context, the normal polarity is mostlikely the Olduvai (N) subchron, occurring between

195 and 178 Ma (McDougall et al., 1992), rather thanthe onset of Brunhes (N) chron. Both faunal andarchaeological arguments support this interpretation.Palaeontologically, mammal taxa of biostratigraphicalinterest represented at Ain Hanech, includingMammuthus meridionalis, Equus tabeti, Sivatheriummaurusium, and Kolpochoerus phacochoeroides, areassigned to the Early Pleistocene (Arambourg, 1970,1979; Geraads, 1981; Eisenmann, 1984, 1985;Sahnouni & Hadjouis, 1987). Furthermore, compari-sons with faunal remains from East Africa indicatethat the Ain Hanech locality may be correlated withOlduvai Bed I and Lower Bed II (Arambourg, 1970,1979; Coppens, 1972) and dated between 2 and147 Ma based on the absence of Anancus, the persist-ence of Sivatherium, and the presence of Mammuthusand Equus (Coppens, 1972). Archaeologically, the AinHanech artefact assemblage is very similar to that ofthe East African Oldowan (Sahnouni, 1993, 1996).

Excavations

Two archaeological localities were excavated; theclassical site of Ain Hanech and that of El-Kherba(Figure 6). At Ain Hanech, the excavationswere expanded northward in an area adjacent to

Arambourgs trench. An area of 50 m2 by 1 m depthwas excavated. The other excavated area was the newlydiscovered archaeological locality of El-Kherba,located 350 m southwest of the original Ain Hanechsite. Here, an area of 12 m2 by 044 m depth wasexcavated. At both localities a rich archaeological

J. de H. Aug 1993

m Southern spur

Calcretes

T sup

SS

T inf

RR

Q

P

(Q)/P

O

16

0

2726

9

11

13

25

2019

21222324

1415

1718

87

10

12

21

34

56

2829

Lithostratigraphy Units Polarity

T

Calcr

N

S

N

RR

Q

R

P

R

m0

2726

9

11

13

25

2019

21222324

1415161718

87

10

12

21

34

56

Figure 5. Reference profiles of the Ain Hanech formation geo-magnetic. The polarity of the archaeological site is equated to T.

Table 1. Faunal species from Ain Hanech previous assemblage.Frequencies are calculated based on Arambourgs data (Arambourg,

1970, 1979)

Animal species NISP %

Mammuthus meridionalis 9 063Ceratotherium mauritanicum 11 077Equus tabeti 1286 9069Hippopotamus amphibius 9 063Kolpochoerus phacochoeroides 2 014Sivatherium maurusium 16 112Girrafa (?) pomeli 4 028Bos bubaloides 9 063Bos praeafricanus 12 084Numidocapra crassicornis 1 007Gazella pomeli 23 162Taurotragus gaudri 2 014Canis cfr. atrox 3 021

Crocuta crocuta 6 042Oryx el eulmensis 2 014Alcelaphus sp. 2 014Gorgon mediterranus 21 148Total 1418 100



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material was recovered, although in low density. Onaverage, the density is 50 archaeological finds per m2

(502/m2 at Ain Hanech and 495/m2 at El-Kherba). Avolume of 9528 m3 of sediments including overburdenwas removed, 90 m3 from Ain Hanech and 528 m3

from El-Kherba.A total of 3106 archaeological remains were

recovered, including 439 fossil bones and 2667 stoneartefacts (Table 2). At Ain Hanech 2512 finds wereunearthed, consisting of 355 fossil bones and 2157artefacts (including small fragments). The fossil bones

include 91 identifiable elements. At El-Kherba thearchaeological remains included 84 fossil bones and129 stone artefacts (excluding small fragments).

There is no doubt in our mind that lithic artefactsand fossil bones compose a spatio-temporal associ-ation and that they potentially reflect behaviouralevents. The excavations at Ain Hanech have exposeda partial skeleton of a large-sized animal in a curledarticulated position and associated with several stoneartefacts (Figure 7, square J2). The skeleton includesthe scapula, vertebra and pelvis. At El-Kherba theexcavations uncovered the association of an elephantbone surrounded with stone artefacts (Figure 8,

square M22). The study of the faunal remains andtheir behavioural implications is currently under way.

Faunal Remains

A total of 439 fossil animal bones were recovered in therecent excavations undertaken at Ain Hanech (exclud-ing small fragments), 84 specimens of which are from

El-Kherba. Only 72 fossil bones can be determinedanatomically (61 elements from Ain Hanech and 11from El-Kherba), and 19 bones, mostly teeth, aretaxonomically identifiable (Table 3). The followingpreliminary taxa are recognised by palaeontologistY. Saoudi (Sahnouni et al ., 1996): Equus tabeti(NISP=735%), Hippopotamus sp. (5%), Bovidae sp.(157%) and Gazella sp. (5%). With the exception ofE. tabeti, bone identification at the species level is notpossible due to the fragmentary condition of thematerial. As can be noted, the bulk of the fauna isassigned to E. tabeti, which was also very abundant(NISP=906%) in the previously known assemblages(Arambourg, 1979).

Deposition of Archaeological Material

Ain Hanech archaeological occurrences were thoughtby several researchers to be unsuitable for behaviouralinquiry. For instance, Professor J. Desmond Clark in arecent publication, synthesizing the North AfricanLower Palaeolithic, wrote about them: They are insecondary context and usually, but not always, fluvi-ally abraded, and he went on to say, it is surprising,however, that no other artifactsflakes, forexamplewere found and it may be that all lighter

Excavated areas [1992 and 1993]Arambourg's trench

0 20 m

NE Cemetery

E

10

N

Ain Hanech

I

5

9876432

1

M L K J H G F E

26

N

El-Kherba

I

21

25242322201918

17

M L K J H G F

SW

Figure 6. The grid system and the excavated areas at Ain Hanech and El-Kherba during the 1992 and 1993 field seasons.

Table 2. Archaeological remains recovered in the excavations at AinHanech and El-Kherba

SitesExcavated

areasFossilbones

Stoneartefacts Total

Ain Hanech 50 m21 m 355 2157* 2512*El-Kherba 12 m2044 m 84 510* 594*Both sites 62 m2144 m 439 2667 3106

*These numbers include artefacts below 2 cm of length.



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material was fluvially transported out of the area of thesubsequent excavation. Alternatively, these heavierartifacts could have come downslope from the originalactivity area (Clark, 1992: 20). Similar statements

were common and widespread among scholars in theAfrican Early Stone Age (Keeley, Schick, Toth, pers.comm.).

One of the goals of the recent investigations at AinHanech was to shed light on the question, Whichagents, geological or behavioural, were primarilyresponsible for the accumulation of Ain Hanecharchaeological materials? This significant question istackled by inspecting Ain Hanech and El-Kherbaarchaeological materials in terms of sedimentarymatrix in which they were buried, taphonomicconditions of bones and the concentrations ofartefacts.

Sedimentary context of archaeological remains bearingstrata

The sedimentary matrix is formed by fine grainedparticles, primarily silt loaded with a heterometricand heterogeneous phase. These sediments includethe following size classes: (1) granules and smallpebbles (>025 mm)=39%; (2) fine sand (0250104 mm)=19%; (3) very fine sand and coarse silt(01040045 mm)= 35%; and (4) medium silt to clay(


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disposition of the material; preliminary data suggest asingle or short-term occupation of the site by hominids.

Taphonomic states of bones

Taphonomic states of bones were assessed with regardto weathering, abrasion, skeletal part representation,orientation and inclination. In terms of subaerial expo-sure, patterns of weathering were observed on bones

recovered at both localities. The method used is the oneproposed by Behrensmeyer (1978), based on descrip-tions provided in this publication and on comparisonswith a set of casts of bone surfaces at differentweathering stages provided through J. Sept by A. K.Behrensmeyer. Because excavations at Ain Hanech andEl-Kherba sites have yielded very few complete bones,

bone fragments were also examined. Only well pre-served specimens and those displaying mechanicalweathering features were considered in the analysis.Bones that showed other aspects of taphonomic modi-fications, such as chemical alteration and hydraulicabrasion, were not included in this study.

Evidence of temporary subaerial exposure is presentin both Ain Hanech and El-Kherba faunal assem-blages. Fossil bones from both sites are characterizedby four weathering stages, namely 0, 1, 2 and 3 (Figure11). Surface bones of stage 4 or stage 5 were notobserved. At Ain Hanech, the majority of bonesshowed weathering patterns of stages 1 and 2. Nearly

22

N

K

20

Fossil bones

M

L

21

Lithic artefactsN

Figure 8. Horizontal distribution of the archaeological material at the El-Kherba locality.

Table 3. Frequencies and status of Ain Hanech and El-Kherba boneremains examined in this study

Status Ain Hanech El-Kherba Total

Total bone remains 355 84 439Bones anatomically defined 61 11 72Bones taxonomically defined 17 2 19Observed weathered bones 288 39 327

Observed abraded bones 50 0 50



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10% of bones are very fresh and display neithercracking nor flaking. Very few fossil bones are charac-terized as stage 3 (2%). Similar weathering patternswere noted in fossil animal bones exhumed at the site

of El-Kherba. Weathering stages 1 and 2 characterizethe bulk of the bones, representing 53% and 38%,respectively. Bones with very fresh surfaces are rare(2%), and those exhibiting weathering stage 3 arerelatively more common (7%). Since weathering stagesare indicative of subaerial exposure of bones prior totheir burial (Behrensmeyer, 1978), fossil bones fromAin Hanech and El-Kherba were probably exposed toclimatic conditions for less than 3 years after the death

of the animals.A quantity (50) of bone fragments from the AinHanech and El-Kherba assemblages exhibit somealterations that might be assigned to abrasion. Allthese abraded specimens are small bone fragments.Their mean length is approx. 46 mm for bones fromAin Hanech and about 36 mm for those from El-Kherba. Since these bone fragments show variousamounts of deterioration, abrasion was assessed as:(1) fresh or non-abraded; (2) slightly abraded (verylittle rounding of the bone surface); (3) moderatelyabraded (moderate rounding of the bone surface, yetits anatomical details are present); and (4) heavily

0 0.5 m

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

4.40

3.203.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

EW

m

Figure 9. Vertical dispersion of the archaeological material at the Ain Hanech site. , Bones; +, artefacts.

K L M N

400

420

300cm

0 50 cm

280

SN

413

369

Figure 10. Vertical dispersion of the archaeological material at the El-Kherba site., Bones; +, artefacts.

60

00

Weathering stage

Frequency(%)

50

40

30

20

10

1 2 3 4

54.51 53.84

5

9.72

2.56

33.7

38.46

2.08

7.69

0 0 0 0

Figure 11. Ain Hanech (288) and El-Kherba (39) bone weatheringpatterns. Classes according to Behrensmeyer, 1978. , Ain Hanech;, El-Kherba.



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abraded (accentuated rounding of the bone surface andloss of anatomical details).

The slightly abraded specimens are the mostabundant. Neither moderately abraded nor heavilyabraded specimens are more frequent than 10%. El-Kherba faunal assemblage includes less abraded bonefragments than Ain Hanech. The bulk of the specimensare slightly abraded, representing 27% of the total.

The abraded elements of both Ain Hanech andEl-Kherba faunal assemblages are bone fragments;there is not a single abraded articulated or completebone. These fragments might have been introducedfrom close distance in the course of channel aggrada-

tion or simply result from local trampling. Indeed,abraded bones are usually found within floodplaindeposits as a consequence of channel lateral aggrada-tion and bone reworking through bank erosion in afluvial system (Behrensmeyer, 1982; Behrensmeyer &Chapman, 1993).

Fossil bones from Ain Hanech and El-Kherba wereinspected for sorting of skeletal parts, referring toresults of experimental investigations conducted byVoorhies (1969). Table 4 displays the skeletal ele-ments represented at both faunal assemblages. Theyvary from elements transported in the first place, suchas ribs and vertebra, to those in lag deposits, such as

teeth. Other skeletal parts, resistant to hydraulictransport, such as skull bones (rhinoceros, horse andgazelle), were also recovered previously from thesame archaeological horizon adjacent to the modernAin Hanech excavations (Balout, 1958; Arambourg,1970). Since Ain Hanech and El-Kherba faunalassemblages incorporate skeletal parts from all threeVoorhies Groups, it is unlikely that bones were sub-ject to hydraulic sorting. These data corroborateother evidence, that consists of a partial skeleton ofa large animal, including the pelvis, vertebraand scapula recovered at Ain Hanech in anatomicalposition.

Preferred orientation and high inclination of bonesmay provide valuable indications of some disturb-ing factor at work within an archaeological horizon(Shipman, 1981). To assess the orientation and inclina-tion of Ain Hanech and El-Kherba bones, measuresof these variables were systematically taken, using acompass and an inclinometer, in the field prior to theircollection from their sedimentary matrix. Diagrams

of bone orientation were calculated but they were notsignificant. A faint preferential orientation northsouth at Ain Hanech is denoted, seemingly due toa gentle water current, which agrees with the fieldobservations of sedimentation subcycles sand to silt.

Bone inclinations from Ain Hanech and El-Kherbaarchaeological localities are not pronounced. Themajority of specimens have an inclination less than 15,73% for Ain Hanech bones and 63% for El-Kherbabones (Figure 12). Based on indications provided byflume experiments (Shipman, 1981), this would suggestthat bones at both sites have been affected by lowvelocity flow. Otherwise, the inclination of bones might

Table 4. Skeletal parts represented in Ain Hanech and El-Kherba bone assemblages with references to Voorhies groups

Voorhies groups Skeletal parts

Ain Hanech El-Kherba

N % N %

Group I Ribs (fragments) 3 566 0 0

Vertebra (including fragments) 7 1320 0 0Scapulae 3 566 1 1428Phalanges 8 1509 1 1428Carpal and tarsal bones 4 754 0 0Femorae 2 377 1 1428Subtotal 27 5092 3 4284

Group II Tibia 0 0 1 1428Metapodial 1 188 1 1428Pelvis 2 377 0 0Subtotal 3 565 2 2856

Group III Teeth 18 3396 2 2857Teeth fragments 5 943 2 2857Subtotal 23 4339 4 5714Total 53 100 7 100

80

45

Bone inclination (degrees)

Percentage

50

20

40

35

30

25

15

10

5

10 20 30 40 60 700

Figure 12. Ain Hanech (; N=305) and El-Kherba (;N=55) bone inclination patterns.



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as well be attributed to bioturbation and trampling(Behrensmeyer, 1982). Microstratigraphical evidenceshows that these two actions indeed occurred at both

archaeological localities.

Concentration of artefacts

Ain Hanech and El-Kherba stone artefact concen-trations were investigated according to a set of analyti-cal criteria, designed by Schick (1986) in order to gaugedisturbances caused by post-occupational naturalagents. These criteria involve artefact assemblage com-position, debitage size distribution, patterns of orien-tation and inclination, and spatial configuration ofartefacts in the sites.

Both Ain Hanech and El-Kherba assemblagesexhibit a coherent artefact composition. Figure 13

presents stone artefact composition of the assemblages.As can be seen in the histograms, at both localities thedebitage category depicts the highest frequency, whilecores represent the smallest.

Analysis of size distribution of flakes and fragmentsat both Ain Hanech and El-Kherba localities indicatesno major disturbance (Figure 14). Both size distribu-tions resemble the one produced by experimental knap-ping made by Schick (1986). Thus, Ain Hanech andEl-Kherba sites seem to represent areas where earlyhominids did manufacture their artefacts. The debitagewas probably rapidly buried subsequently by lowvelocity floods.

Regarding the rose diagrams of artefact orientationat El-Kherba and Ain Hanech, the patterns are similarto those of bone orientation, completely scattered inthe first case and faintly orientated northsouth in thesecond case (Figure 15).

Figure 16 displays artefact inclination at botharchaeological localities. At Ain Hanech, most of theartefacts are only slightly inclined. Nearly 70% of theartefacts have a dip ranging between 0 and 10; slightlymore than 20% show a dip from 20 to 30; less than10% of the total assemblage has a dip greater than 30.Overall, these inclination patterns indicate low velocitycurrents, if any. The inclinations at El-Kherba show

similar patterns, yet with minor differences. 68% ofartefacts have a dip varying between 0 and 10; nearly25% a dip between 20 and 30; only less than 7% of adip greater than 30. As at Ain Hanech, El-Kherbaartefacts are only slightly inclined, suggesting that they

Debitage

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0Cores

Artefact categories

Frequencies

ofartefacts(%)

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Retouched pieces

4.12 5.09 6.868.62

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Figure 13. Ain Hanech (; N=2157) and El-Kherba (; N=510)artefact assemblage composition.


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were not affected by high velocity currents. Bioturba-

tion and trampling might also be responsible for atleast a part of the relatively high inclination.Finally, we inspected the spatial configuration of

artefacts. A trend surface analysis of the site distri-bution artefact patterns, using the excavation gridsystem, was conducted for Ain Hanech. (Since exca-vations at El-Kherba were very limited, artefact spatialconfiguration at this locality is discarded.) Threecategories of artefacts were considered based on theirsize and technological classification, including (1) coresregardless of their size (35%); (2) debitage rangingbetween 80 and 40 mm length (6%); (3) debitageranging between 40 and 20 mm length (13%); and(4) all debitage below 20 mm maximum dimension

(76%). With the exception of minor differences, theproportion of these debitage size categories are com-parable to those produced by flaking experiments(Schick, 1986: 2327).

Figure 17 shows distribution and contour intervalsfor density of Ain Hanech artefacts according toartefact size categories described above within adjacentmetre square units. Overall, artefact spatial configur-ations do not exhibit any spatial trends produced byfluvial modification as observed in simulation ofhydraulic site disturbance, such as linear patterns ofartefacts with long axis, core-rich area, concentrationof high proportion of debitage, spatial gaps, gradation

with regard to artefact types and composition, anddownstream trends in assemblage composition (Schick,1986). Rather, our spatial trends are indicative ofminimal disturbance.

In summary, Ain Hanech and El-Kherba culturalmaterial were both minimally disturbed and probablypreserve behavioural information. The archaeo-logical remains were concentrated in a relatively thickhorizon, suggestive of a short-term occupation, afterwhich bones and artefacts moved in the sediments dueto bioturbation. Furthermore, they are contained in afine sedimentary matrix buried in some floodplaindeposit at a low velocity regime. However, minimal site

reworking and rearrangement of small remains mighthave occurred. Fossil animal bones are relatively wellpreserved. When observable, they do not exhibit thetype of cracking or flaking that implies long periods ofexposure. Anatomically, the bone assemblage includesall categories of skeletal elements, eliminating thehypothesis of substantial hydraulic sorting. Inaddition, bones show neither a strongly preferredorientation nor high inclination.

Likewise, stone artefacts are very fresh, edges aresharp unless battered by percussion and in the lattercase the bruised impacts, although prone to disappearby erosion, are perceptible to the eye. The assemblagecomposition is coherent, including cores and debitage.The debitage is overwhelmingly represented. Inaddition, small flakes below 2 cm exhibit a similarcurve to that produced experimentally by Schick(1986), suggesting that flaking occurred at the site. The

lithics do not show high inclinations, or preferredorientation patterns. In reply to prior concerns thatAin Hanech cultural remains occurred in secondarycontext, we state to the contrary that these occurrencesare suitable for the study of early hominid behaviour inNorth Africa.

Artefact Assemblage

Overall presentation of the assemblage

The recent excavations yielded a total of 2667 artefacts,2156 from Ain Hanech and 510 from El-Kherba. They

80

40

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Percentage

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35

30

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Figure 16. Diagram showing Ain Hanech (; N=363) andEl-Kherba (- - -- - -; N=89) stone artefact inclination.

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Figure 17. Spatial distribution and contour intervals for density ofAin Hanech artefacts according to their size categories. (a) Cores; (b)debitage between 2 and 4 cm; (c) debitage between 4 and 8 cm; (d)debitage


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are very fresh and display a coherent assemblagecomposition, including cores and debitage. The assem-blage is typical of Mode I Technology (simpleOldowan-type core forms and debitage) and character-ized by a low degree of standardization. It incorporatesthe following categories: (1) flaked cobbles and cores(4%); (2) retouched pieces (7%); (3) whole flakes >2 cm(3%); and (4) miscellaneous fragments (6%). The fre-quencies of artefact categories at both archaeologicalsites are nearly similar (Table 5).

Raw materials

Artefacts from Ain Hanech and El-Kherba are pri-marily made of flint (56%) and limestone (43%). Thereare only two pieces made of sandstone. The flintcomprises several colours: dark brown, black, lightbrown, green and grey. The dark brown and blackvarieties are predominant. In terms of categories ofartefacts, the flaked cobbles (all varieties) are chieflymade of limestone while small cores are exclusivelyflaked in flint (Table 6). Interestingly, the retouched

pieces are much more frequent in flint (27%) than inlimestone (6%). The whole flakes are nearly equally inlimestone (8%) and flint (6%). These types of rockwould have been available to Ain Hanech hominids inthe general vicinity of the site in the form of cobblesand pebbles. Presently, limestone cobbles can be founderoding out of the fossil conglomerates dating to theEarly Pleistocene, with clasts of the same limestone insizes and shapes like those uncovered in the exca-vations (Sahnouni, Schick & Toth, 1997). The lithol-ogy and original source of limestone and flint as wellas the significance of their exploitation still requiredetailed study.

Flaked cobbles and cores

A total of 115 flaked cobbles and cores were recovered,89 of which are from Ain Hanech and 26 fromEl-Kherba. The flaked cobbles (Figures 18 and 19),representing 68 specimens, are in limestone. Their

maximum dimensions are relatively variable (min=44 mm, max=137 mm, mean=836, ..=156). Withsome exceptions, the initial shape of these flakedlimestone cobbles is polyhedral providing natural sur-faces used as striking platforms to remove flakes easily.

Technologically, the flaked cobbles are characterizedby a large variability and lack of stereotype forms. Forinstance, they show an entire range of flaking extent,including light (flaking extending to 1/4 of the cobblesurface), moderate (flaking covering from 1/2 to 3/4 ofthe cobble surface) and heavy (flaking covering from3/4 to the entire surface). The lightly and heavily flakedcobbles are comparably frequent with 33%. The mod-erately flaked specimens represent 31%. On the whole,

they preserve residual cortical areas although in vari-able degrees. The specimens wholly without cortex arerare, representing only 4%. The number of scar countsranges between 2 and 30 scars, indicating the absenceof standardization. The scars are obtained primarilywith opposed and orthogonal flaking modes, usingmostly cortical platforms. These flaking modes areindicated by the frequent presence of specimens bear-ing more than two striking platforms (57%). The edgeangle also varies considerably (71130) but, overall, isobtuse with a mean of 106.

Typologically, they may be classified into threebroad categories, such as unifacial, bifacial and poly-

facially flaked cobbles. The unifacially flaked cobbles(N=9) along with some bifacially flaked cobbles (N=2)(unifacial and bifacial shoppers in Mary Leakeystypological system) show minimal flaking and a fairlyacute edge angle (mean=79). The polyfacial flakedcobbles comprise three categories, namely poly-hedrons, subspheroids and spheroids. The poly-hedrons, the most dominant category (N=32), aremoderately to heavily flaked on at least three differentfaces and with some relatively acute edges (mean=106). The subspheroids (N=23) are heavily flakedusually on many more than three faces and with yetmore obtuse angles (mean=112). The spheroids, the

Table 5. Overall frequencies of artefact categories

Artefact categories

Ain Hanech El-Kherba Total

N % N % N %

Flaked cobbles and cores 89 412 26 509 115 431

Retouched pieces 148 686 44 862 192 719Whole flakes 65 301 18 352 83 311Fragments 129 598 40 784 169 633Subtotal 431 1998 128 2509 559 2095Debitage


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least frequent (N=2), are heavily flaked over much orall of the exterior with very obtuse angles(mean=125).

The cores, totalling 47 pieces, are different fromflaked cobbles in dimensions, raw material, and overall

technological patterns (Figure 20). In terms of dimen-sions, the cores are particularly small. The means forthe length, breadth and thickness are, respectively,30 mm, 23 mm and 16 mm. They are chiefly made offlint, initially the size of small pebbles. Unlike theflaked cobbles, the cores are predominantly lightlyflaked and have a relatively acute edge angle(mean=86).

Whole flakes

A total of 83 whole flakes were unearthed, 65 from AinHanech and 18 from El-Kherba (Figure 21). The flakes

made of flint are more frequent than those in lime-stone, 56% versus 43%. Nearly 60% of flakes havecortical butts, followed by butts with one scar (27%).The multifaceted butts constitute only 7%. Flakes withdorsal faces are primarily cortical and bear only onescar. The bulk of dorsal faces with more than one

scar (17%) are in flint. The most common flake scarpattern is unidirectional (49%), distantly followed bybidirectional patterns (7%). Unidirectional flakingprevailed on both flint and limestone material.

Retouched pieces

The recent excavations yielded 129 retouched lithicpieces, 148 from Ain Hanech and 44 from El-Kherba(Figure 22). The blanks on which they were manu-factured are occasional and include two varieties:debitage elements and unflaked blanks. The debitageelements represent 69% and consist of whole flakes and

0 3 cm

(b)

(a)

(c)

Figure 18. Examples of limestone flaked cobbles/core forms recov-ered in the recent excavations. (a) and (b) Bifacial core forms fromthe El-Kherba site (KH 93-L21-LV1-15 and KH 93-M22-MV2-11,respectively, redrawn by J. de Heinzelin); (c) a unifacial coreform from the Ain Hanech site (AH 93-E2-EB1-1, drawn by J. deHeinzelin).

(d)

(c)

(b)

(a)

0 3 cm

Figure 19. Examples of multifacial limestone flaked cobbles/coreforms. (a), (b) and (c) are polyhedrons from the Ain Hanech site(AH 92-H5-10, AH 93-K7-KG3-3, AH 93-I5-2, respectively, re-drawn by J. de Heinzelin); (d) a multifaceted spheroid from AinHanech (AH 93-I6-14, drawn by D. Wilkerson).



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miscellaneous fragments. The other type of blankconstitutes 30% and incorporates two kinds, miscel-laneous chunks in flint and small flat pebbles often inlimestone. The retouch is usually abrupt, and affectsmost often the lateral side of the blanks. The retouch isalso casual and informal leading to a rather indistincttypology. However, six broad categories can be recog-nized. The most abundant categories are scrapers and

denticulates totalling 50% and 22%, respectively. Threeother categories are relatively frequent, including end-scrapers (10%), multiple retouched edges (7%) andnotches (6%). Lastly, awls and burins are extremelyrare, representing 1% each.

In summary, the technological study of the lithicoccurrences points to the Oldowan character of theAin Hanech assemblage. This latter displays a simpletechnological design, which requires a simple knowl-edge limited to collecting raw materials and removingflakes from cores. The artefacts also show a low degreeof standardization reflected by the disparity of flakingon trimmed cobbles and by the casual retouch on

flakes and fragments. In addition to these simpletechnological trends, the Ain Hanech assemblageincludes artefacts similar to those found in EastAfrican Oldowan assemblages, such as Olduvai inTanzania (Leakey, 1971, 1975; Toth, 1985) and KoobiFora in Kenya (Isaac, 1976; Isaac & Harris, 1976;Harris, 1978). It may be considered as a North Africanvariant of the Oldowan Industrial Complex.

Evidence of Microwear

As the recent excavations carried out at Ain Hanechyielded a considerable quantity of stone artefacts

made of flint, a very suitable raw material for func-tional studies (Keeley, 1980), a preliminary microwearanalysis was undertaken by Professor LawrenceKeeley from the Department of Anthropology at theUniversity of Illinois at Chicago. Eleven pieces made offlint were selected by Keeley for observation, nine ofwhich are from the locality of Ain Hanech and twofrom El-Kherba. They were cleaned with ammonia-based detergent, 10% solution hydrochloric acid (HCl),and 10% solution potassium hydroxide (KOH). Theywere examined with a bright-field illumination micro-scope at 100500 magnifications (Olympus BHMmetallurgical microscope).

(b)

(a)

0 3 cm

Figure 20. Examples of cores made of flint from Ain Hanech (drawnby C. Fillah). (a) AH 93-L1-LA3-10; (b) AH 93-J3-JC1). Note thesmall size of the cores compared to the flaked cobbles in Figures 18and 19.

0 3 cm

(e)

(c)

(a)

(d)

(b)

Figure 21. Examples of whole flakes (redrawn by J. de Heinzelin).(a) Thick flake (148 mm) made of dark grey flint (AH 93-F3-FC4-9);(b) thin flake made of flint bearing microwear traces (AH 93-L6-LF3-5001); (c) flake in flint with small denticulations on the distaledge probably due to trampling (AH 93-L1-LA1-1); (d) flake, in veryfine grain light brown flint bearing meat and bone polishes (AH 93-G1-GA2-17); (e) flake in brown chert with small retouches on theconvex edge (KH 93-M21-MV2-10). Flakes (a) to (d) are from theAin Hanech and (e) from the El-Kherba sites.



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Evidence of microwear was found on three lithicpieces. The first worn piece, catalogued as AH 93-G1-GA2-17, is a flake made of brown flint. Two polishes

were identified on the transversal edge of this wholeflake. One is meat polish, located on the ventral face(bulbar aspect) at the left part of the edge, a wear fromsoft animal tissue (Figure 23(a)). The other is a bonepolish on the dorsal face at the right part of the edgeattesting tool action, such as cutting and/or slicing(Figure 23(b)). The second worn lithic piece, cata-logued as AH 93-L6-LF3-9001 is also a whole flakeand made of dark brown flint. An indeterminate bi-lateral polish is identified on the lateral side of this veryfresh sharp flake. The last specimen (AH 93-L1-LA5-20) is a denticulate-like retouched fragment. The util-ized part is located on the retouched side reflecting a

possible meat polish (Figure 24). The tool action wasnot determined on this piece.

The preliminary microwear analysis shows that AinHanech stone artefacts were used for food processing,indicating that meat was a component of an earlyhominid diet living in this area. Soft animal tissue was

processed by both whole flakes and retouched pieces.This suggests that flakes were as important as otherOldowan stone artefacts, i.e. flaked cobbles. Similarevidence has also been reported in studying microwearon Koobi Fora flakes (Keeley & Toth, 1981).

Conclusions

The results of 19921993 archaeological investigationsundertaken at the Lower Palaeolithic site of AinHanech in northeastern Algeria are reported here.These studies have involved investigations bearing onstratigraphy, dating, nature of the association between

broken up bones and stone artefacts, lithic assemblageanalysis, and overall behavioural implications of thearchaeological occurrences. Based on these investi-gations, the following tentative conclusions aredrawn:(1) The site of Ain Hanech is among the oldestarchaeological occurrences in North Africa. Althoughrecently some doubt raised in respect to the EarlyPleistocene age of archaeological horizons in theCasablanca sequence (Raynal & Texier, 1989), the AinHanech evidence reaffirms and strengthens a remotehuman antiquity in the Maghreb. Human presence inthis part of the African continent may go back to 18million years ago (Figure 25), suggesting an earlier

spread of hominids into North Africa than commonlyassumed.(2) Contrary to what has been assumed, Ain Hanechoccurrences are not from a secondary depositionalcontext. All the relevant evidence, including the sedi-mentary matrix, physical aspect of the occurrences,and disposition of the archaeological material showclearly that these occurrences were minimally dis-turbed, local trampling and flux being part of theprocess. The archaeological material accumulated con-tinuously and buried rapidly in fine-grained sedimentsdue to low energy flow. Therefore, Ain Hanech occur-rences are appropriate for behavioural studies of early

hominid occupations in North Africa.(3) Recent archaeological investigations at the site ofAin Hanech yielded, for the first time in the Maghreb,a coherent Mode I Technology artefact assemblagesimilar to those recovered in East African Plio-Pleistocene sites, e.g. Olduvai Bed I and Lower Bed IIand Koobi Fora sites. The Ain Hanech assemblage ischaracterized by a low degree of standardization, andmay be considered as a North African variant ofOldowan Industrial Complex.(4) The Ain Hanech investigations demonstrated defi-nitely that the Acheulean occurrences were not associ-ated with Oldowan materials. Bifaces derive from

0

(a)

(c)

(e)

(b)

(d)

(f)

3 cm

Figure 22. Examples of retouched pieces (redrawn by J. deHeinzelin). (a) Denticulate in very fine grain light brown chert, theblank is a core fragment, bears an undefined use-wear (AH 93-L1-LA5-20). (b) Minimally retouched flake in chert (AH 93-L4-LD4-4).

(c) Denticulate-like piece modified on a flake fragment in dark brownchert (AH 93-E2-EB1-1). (d) Retouched pieces on a flake fragmentmade of dark chert, the retouches are continuous on the concaveedge and inverse on the distal part (AH 93-M2-MB4-14). (e) Flakemade of dark flint with continuous retouches on the left edge(KH 93-M21-MV1-11). (f) Awl-like retouched pieces in black flintwith various retouches of utilization on its edges (AH 93-J4-JD2-30).Retouched pieces (a) to (d) and (f) from Ain Hanech site, and (e)from El-Kherba site.



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calcretes higher up in the Ain Hanech stratigraphicalsequence.(5) Preliminary evidence indicates that animal tissuesprobably constituted some part of Ain Hanech homi-nid subsistence. Manufactured artefacts were used forprocessing animal carcasses, including meat cuttingand bone working. A broader overview of subsistencepatterns is not yet available.(6) As a synthetic and somewhat free rendition of ourfield experience, we visualize a single or short-termoccupation by early hominids at some water-hole or ata shallow river embankment, some strategic choicedirected by the provision of limestone cobbles and flint

pebbles in a nearby river bed and by an obliged passageof game, propitious to meat acquisition.

Acknowledgements

Our investigations have been supported by grants fromthe University of Algiers, L. S. B. Leakey Foundation(Oakland, California), Wenner-Gren Foundation(New York), CRAFT Research Center (IndianaUniversity, Bloomington) and the Direccion Generalde Ensenaza Superior of the Spanish Ministry ofEducation and Culture. We would like to thank the

(a) (b)

Figure 23. (a) Meat polish on the ventral face of a flake made of brown flint (AH 93-G1-GA2-17) (100). (b) Bone polish on the dorsal faceof a flake made of brown flint (AH 93-G1-GA2-17) (100).

Figure 24. Possible meat polish on the retouched side of adenticulate-like retouched fragment made of flint (AH 93-L1-LA5-20) (100).



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Institute of Archaeology of the University of Algiersand local authorities for providing logistical means,and the Agence Nationale dArcheologie et des

Monuments Historiques of the Ministry of Cultureand Communications for the research permit. Thisresearch would not have been possible without theassistance in the field of M. Medig and A. Derradji ofthe faculty and a group of students from the Instituteof Archaeology. Special thanks to the family Thabetfor their warm hospitality and full collaboration in thefield.

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AgeM.Y.

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polarityEast Africa

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+

Figure 25. Chronological position of the Ain Hanech site relative toEast and South African earliest archaeological sites.



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Appendix 1

Description of Ain Hanech formationThe formation of Ain Hanech is divided into sixsedimentary units (from O to T), based upon the typesection on the left bank of Ain Boucherit stream andcorrelating the northern and southern spurs.

At the northern spur the sedimentary units include(Figure 5): (1) unit O is a compact pink (75YR 7/4)silt; (2) in unit P, at about 3 m thick from the bottom isa subunit starting with unsorted and not orientatedpebbles contained in mottled silt passing to very palebrown silt 10YR 8/4. At about 8 m this unit starts withgravel interbeds in silt, then mottled silt with very palebrown (10YR 7/3) calcic concretions, then very pale

brown (10YR 8/3) and reddish yellow (75YR 6/6)reduced root traces, and finally disturbed soil horizon;(3) unit Q is about 3 m thick. It consists of scatteredangular gravel passing to mottled silt, and claysilt; (4)unit R is about 35 m thick, including many scatteredgravels capped by stratified silty sand, and then silt; (5)unit S is about 25 m thick, and is a cyclothemicsequence similar to unit R; (6) unit T consists of theupper part of obliquely layered sediment (T. Upper), asilt rich in nodular calcic concretions.

The southern spur comprises the following sedi-mentary units, from bottom to top: (1) unit (Q)/P is17 m thick, and includes 25 m of coarse gravel andhigh energy stratification, then interbeds of gravels,

sands and silt; and a bed of about 1 m of pure greysilt containing well preserved gastropod and whiteostracod shells (5Y 8/1). The upper part is rather ofcompact silt and claysilt; (2) unit R is similar to theone at the northern spur; (3) unit S is also similar toone at the northern spur; (4) unit T includes only thelower part (T. Lower), consisting of an oblique calcicsilt with traces of stratification. The contact between T.Upper and T. Lower is oblique as well, T. Upper beingmodified.


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