Analysis of the unintentional production of fragments and flakes during the use of lithic tools by capuchin monkeys from two populations

• Grant number: 24/01237-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Archeology
• Principal Investigator: Astolfo Gomes de Mello Araujo
• Grantee: Gabriela de Oliveira Affonço
• Host Institution: Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia (MAE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/18900-1 - Innovations in human and non-human animal communities, AP.SPEC
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/03396-0 - Analysis of the unintentional production of fragments and flakes during nut-cracking by capuchin monkeys in Ubajara National Park, Brazil, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

Until recently, the production of lithic technology was considered an exclusive capability of the human lineage. Capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) in Serra da Capivara National Park intentionally strike one stone against another to obtain silica powder. During striking, unintentional flakes are produced. Monkeys were not observed using the flakes, but their flakes have technological characteristics comparable to human flakes. The objective of this project is to analyze the production of fragments and flakes produced unintentionally by capuchin monkeys (S. libidinosus) in the Ubajara National Park (PNU) during nut-cracking and compare them with objects unintentionally produced during the stone-on-stone behavior in the Serra da Capivara National Park (PNSC). Data collection at PNU will be divided into four procedures. We will collect fragments and flakes generated during nut-cracking, as well as hammers previously monitored by cameras trap. To compare with material generated during stone-on-stone behavior, we will use materials previously collected for another study at PNSC. We predict that fragments, flakes, and hammers for cracking coconuts can be distinguished from the objects generated during stone-on-stone behavior. The comparative study of monkey behavior can help us to unravel how different human behaviors may had generated fragments and flakes with different characteristics.