Wood or Soil? A Functional Analysis of Neolithic Rhyolite Gouges from Central Sudan Using Experimental Archaeology and Use Wear Study

Abstract Since the Khartoum Neolithic was first identified, gouges have frequently been associated with this cultural horizon, yet their function has remained a subject of ongoing debate. Interpretations of their use have often been speculative, lacking robust scientific evidence from systematic analysis. This article addresses this gap by presenting a comparative study between experimentally replicated tools and archaeological specimens. The experimental gouges were produced by an experienced flintknapper using rhyolite from the Sabaloka region—the same geological source as the archaeological artifacts. These tools were then used in controlled tasks, specifically soil-working and woodworking, to generate diagnostic use-wear traces. The resulting wear patterns were carefully documented and compared with those observed on archaeological gouges recovered from the Neolithic sites of Fox Hill and Kadero in central Sudan. Through this analysis, the study provides more grounded insights into the functional role of gouges during the Khartoum Neolithic period and contributes to a deeper understanding of tool use in early agricultural societies in the region.