m) hk19b #3 elephant

HK19A and 19B, Har Karkom, Israel, c. 128,000 to 50,000 BP; m) hk19b #3 elephant

From the white stone circle, in hutfloor, HK19B, artifact #3. Placed on heavy weight paper background for photo. Size: 6.5 cm. by 5 cm. maximal distances.

Tentative interpretation (James Harrod): intentionally flaked artifact, 'opposed platform core'. Compare 'opposed platform cores' and 'change of orientation' flake cores from central Negev site of Rosh Ein Mor [Figure 5.10 in Marks, A. (1976). Prehistory and paleoenvironments in the Central Negev, Israel, Vol 1, The Avdat/Aqev Area, Part 1. Dallas: SMU Press]. Unlike typical opposed platfrom cores, in this artifact it appears that several trimming flakes were removed along the right edge, which do not serve the utilitarian purpose of flake or blade removal, nor do they make this artifact into a scraper.

The shaping is zoomorphic; it appears to be an elephant, facing right. This is a second artifact flaked to represent what appears to be an elephant. Again like artifact #2 (see previous two photos), the base is flat and allows the figure to stand upright. Also like artifact #2, #3 turned upside down shows flaking that gives vague impression of another elephant. There appear to be two tiny punctures suggestive of two eyes. This object's 'trunk' also has the stereotypical S-curve.

m) hk19b #3 elephant