Let’s look at this from another angle, shall we?
What if the stones were tied in link with rope of some sort, and used by swinging them around and throwing them at the legs of gazelles. He could then use the sickle, not for gathering wheat, but for slicing the gazelle’s achilles tendons so it couldn’t run away (would also make a quick way to slice the throat without getting too close to those wicked horns. The toes are merit badges, if you will, from previous kills.
Maybe, he was 13 and dad said, “Now’s your time Johammmadi. Go out and bring me back 20 gazelle toes. Then, grasshopper, you will be a man.”
Seems resonable to me... These people were hunter/gatherers, seems like the first part seems to get forgotten alot. There have always been ‘rights of passage’ in the world of hunters turning of age. The answer could truely be anything, but to just say he was a vegetarian based on his toolkit seems alot like a biased opinion. If he was a vegetarian gatherer, maybe that’s why they found his toolkit - He was eaten by something and he had no clue how to defend himself in the real world.
(Yes I DO realize that the word ‘she’ could be substituted for ‘he’ multiple times in the preceeding sentences, and if while reading you felt as if I was being sexist...get over yourself. The world’s not about you...
Don’t sue me, don’t protest in Washington, don’t call your senator and demand new legislation, don’t scream out loud until everyone rolls their eyes behind your back....
It’s real easy, just turn off the computer and go for a walk... ok?)
Forget about it...
“What if the stones were tied in link with rope of some sort, and used by swinging them around and throwing them at the legs of gazelles.”
BINGO! That is exactly one scenario I considered.
May be religious or ceremonial.
I recall reading about burying of large spear blades by ice age types. (Solutrian?)
At any rate, you could have some sort of offering made by the community, through a shaman or chief, asking the earth gods or spirits to give them good hunting, fishing, crops, etc..
The proximity of the roundhouse was also part of the reason for my theory. ( insert monty python bit about "my theory" here. )
I like the idea of the "sickle" being used to cut tendons, or throats.
A kicking animal can be dangerous.
It does not preclude it's use as a harvesting tool however, which is an equally valid theory.