Memory Scrapers: Readymade Concepts and Techniques as Reflected in Collecting and Recycling Patinated Lower Palaeolithic Items at Qesem Cave, Israel

This paper argues that certain early Palaeolithic artefacts can be viewed as reflecting Readymade concepts and techniques from the world of modern art. I will focus on presenting a theoretical framework for this claim well case study Late Lower Qesem Cave, Israel (420,000–200,000 bp ). The is based ‘double patina’ phenomenon (old tools became patinated by exposure to elements were then shaped again). These items, characterized outstanding colours textures, produced following applied in production are both functional mnemonic. suggest these items acted mnemonic memory reconnected their users ancestral (human non-human) beings familiar experiences, events, places.