Stone tool production and utilization by bonobo-chimpanzees (Pan paniscus).

Bibliographic Collection: 
APE
Publication Type: Journal Article
Authors: Roffman, Itai; Savage-Rumbaugh, Sue; Rubert-Pugh, Elizabeth; Ronen, Avraham; Nevo, Eviatar
Year of Publication: 2012
Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Volume: 109
Issue: 36
Pagination: 14500-3
Date Published: 2012 Sep 4
Publication Language: eng
ISSN: 1091-6490
Keywords: Animals, Biological Evolution, Female, Learning, Male, Observation, Pan paniscus, Tool Use Behavior
Abstract:

Using direct percussion, language-competent bonobo-chimpanzees Kanzi and Pan-Banisha produced a significantly wider variety of flint tool types than hitherto reported, and used them task-specifically to break wooden logs or to dig underground for food retrieval. For log breaking, small flakes were rotated drill-like or used as scrapers, whereas thick cortical flakes were used as axes or wedges, leaving consistent wear patterns along the glued slits, the weakest areas of the log. For digging underground, a variety of modified stone tools, as well as unmodified flint nodules, were used as shovels. Such tool production and utilization competencies reported here in Pan indicate that present-day Pan exhibits Homo-like technological competencies.

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1212855109
Alternate Journal: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.
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