portada-sesión 03 - UB · 3 S3‐ Stone tool production and processing techniques 'On the Rocks' ‐ International Symposium on Knappable Materials / University of Barcelona / 7‐11

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Designer: Manuel Cubero

[email protected]

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S3‐ Stone tool production and processing techniques

'On the Rocks' ‐ International Symposium on Knappable Materials / University of Barcelona / 7‐11 September 2015

Organizers

S3‐ Stone tool production and processing techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

‐ PERESANI, Marco; DELPIANO, Davide; ZIGGIOTTI, Sara Backed tools from the Middle Palaeolithic discoid technology. An assessment on technology, shaping and function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

‐ BOGDANA, Milić; HOREJS, BarbaraRaw material choice matters – obsidian vs. chert lithic technology at Neolithic Çukuriçi Höyük in Western Anatolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

‐ MARCHAND, FlorineThe lithic industry of Tell 'Arqa (Akkar Plain, North Lebanon) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

‐ POTTENTAVIDA, Ajithprasad; Madella, Marco; GADEKAR, CEarly Harappan disc beads and stone knapping innovations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

‐ GADEKAR, Charusmita; POTTENTAVIDA Ajithprasad A comparison of lithic assemblages belonging to economically diverse settlements flourishing during mid‐third millennium BCE Gujarat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

‐ LÓPEZ RODRÍGUEZ, Mª Cristina; GUTIÉRREZ SÁEZ, C.; MARTÍN LERMA, I.Breaking rocks: configuration systems of lithic tools in recent prehistory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

‐ UEMINE, AtsushiLithic debitage study and organization of settlement in Neolithic Western Japan . . . . . . . .12

‐ ASAI, TakuaStone tools have traces of the knappers' habit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

‐ NARANJO MAYOR, Yurena; FRANCISCO ORTEGA, Isabel; RODRÍGUEZ RODRÍGUEZ, AmeliaThe Barranco Cardones workshop (Arucas, Gran Canaria). An example of knapping vesicular basalt for making rotary querns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

‐ NASSR, AhmedFrom Acheulean to MSA stone tool production and processing techniques changes in the Sudan, from the eastern desert of lower Atbara River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

‐ HISCOCK, Peter; MACAKAY, AlexVariability in Middle Stone Age core reduction in Southern Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

‐ CUARTERO MONTEAGUDO, Felipe; BOURGUIGNON, Laurence; BAENA PREYSLER, JavierTechniques of percussion through the Acheulian and the early Middle Palaeolithic of the Iberian Peninsula: an experimental approach to the understanding of knapping techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

‐ KOT, Malgorzata; KRAJCARZ, Maciej T.; PAVLENOK, Konstantin; KRAJCARZ, Magdalena; LAZAREV, Sergei Yu; RADZHABOV, ?lisher; SNEIDER, Svetlana; SZYMCZAK, KarolRaw material procurement and its consequences for knapping technology in the Middle Palaeolithic site of Katta Sai, western Tian Shan piedmonts (Uzbekistan) . . . . . . . .18

‐ FRICK, Jens AxelLate Middle Paleolithic industries of Grotte de la Verpillière II (Saône‐et‐Loire, France) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

‐ MARCIANI, Giulia; SPAGNOLO, Vincenzo; AURELI, Daniele; RANALDO, Filomena; BOSCATO, Paolo; RONCHITELLI, AnnamariaImport – export and production: Middle Paleolithic technical behavior at the Su 13 of Oscurusciuto Rock Shelter, Southern Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

‐ ROMAGNOLI, Francesca; BARGALLÓ, Amelia; CHACÓN, Maria Gema; VAQUERO, ManuelTechnical ruptures in Abric Romaní Middle Palaeolithic site: a multidisciplinary approach to identify Neanderthal technology and socio‐economic organisation . . . . . . . . .21



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‐ GODER GOLDBERGER, Mae; BOARETTO, Elisabetta; MCPHERRON, Shannon P; BARZILI, Omry The exploitation of obsidian in the Central Plateau of Santa Cruz, Argentina . . . . . . . . . . . .22

‐ KELLY, Patricia; CARTAJENA, Isabel; MÉNDEZ , César; FAÚNDEZ , Wilfredo; NÚÑEZ, Lautaro; LOYOLA, Rodrigo; SIERRALTA, SimónTechnological variability in late Pleistocene ‐ early Holocene lithic assemblages at the Imilac‐ Punta Negra basins (Atacama desert, South America) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

‐ PUGLIESE Jr., Francisco A.; ARAUJO, Astolfo G. M.The lithics of Lagoa Santa: a study of the technological organization of ancient hunter‐gatherers from Central Brazil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

‐ EREK, Cevdet MerihThe 11th millennium BC cave site of Direkli in Central Taurus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

‐ VADILLO‐CONESA , Margarita; JARDÓN GINER, Paula; AURA TORTOSA , J.Emili Flintknapping in the Pleistocene‐Holocene transition. Hammerstones from Spanish Mediterranean region. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

‐ PRESTON, Paul Richard; DAVENPORT‐MACKEY, KatieUnshackling the 'chaînes': a new approach to the technological organisation of the BritishMesolithic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

‐ GRANADOS, Tina J.Transferable technologies: from one raw material to the next (?) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

‐ RODRÍGUEZ‐RELLAN, Carlos; DE LOMBERA HERMIDA, ArturoStone tool production in Northwestern Spain: some insights on the specifics of the quartz group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

‐ GARCIA‐ROJAS, Maite; MUJIKA ALUSTIZA, José AntonioKnappers of the Bajo Deba. The Upper Magdalenian lithic production dynamics at the Aizkoltxo Cave (Mendaro‐Gipuzkoa). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

‐ SANTANIELLO, Fabio; GRIMALDI, StefanoA technological overview of the Noaillian Gravettian of Riparo Mochi (Balzi Rossi, Italy) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

‐ JIMÉNEZ‐COBOS, Francisca; MORGADO, AntonioAcheulean lithic technology and raw materials in Southern Iberia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

‐ QUERO, Tania; ALBANESE, Rosa Maria; PROCELLI, EnricoVariability in the exploitation of lithic raw materials from the Middle Neolithic to the Late Chalcolithic, at Realmese site (Calascibetta ‐ Enna, central Sicily) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

‐ DAFFARA, Sara; BERRUTI, Gabriele L.F.; BERTÈ, Davide F; CARACAUSI, Sandro)Life without chert. The use of vein quartz in the prehistory of Piedmont (North‐western Italy) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

‐ CABRAL DE MEDEIROS, Joao; BELTRAO, M.C.M.C.; VERGNE M.C.; PEREZ DA PAZ, R.A. The lithic material of the Inhazinha and Rodrigues Furtado archaeological sites, municipality of perdizes/MG: an analysis of cultural dynamics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

‐ HORTA, Pedro; CASCALHEIRA, João; MARREIROS, João; BICHO, NunoPreliminary technological comparison between chert and quartz splintered pieces from the Upper Palaeolithic of Vale Boi (Southwestern Iberia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

‐ GARCÍA FRANCO, AlejandroChaînes opératoires and blade technology from the Upper Palaeolithic site of Marchales (Granada, Spain) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

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‐ HOCSMAN, Salomón; BOBILLO, Federico Miguel; ESCOLA, Patricia SusanaGiant cores and large flakes in the high elevation desert of Southern Argentine Puna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

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Info

How were stone artefacts made? This session will look into the various methods usedto process raw material and produce tools or even artwork by knapping. Presentations inthis session may be theoretical or based on modern analogy. They may also be basedpurely on methods used by modern knappers today.

Organizers

Killian Driscoll ([email protected])

Didac Roman ([email protected])



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Abstract

Variability in the lithics from the Middle Palaeolithic concerns many different aspectswithin the assemblage composition. Of several flaking methods used during this longperiod, the Discoid has acquired much importance in studies aimed at outlining factorsinvolved in different chronological, environmental and economical contexts. This techno‐logy met human beings at different levels in interacting with the stable and cyclic distribu‐tion of resources. Nevertheless, little is still known on the tool component, which hasusually low incidence in the general economy of lithic assemblages across Europe. A simi‐lar case is recorded at Grotta di Fumane, Italy, layer A9. Here we deal with a particularclass of tools made from flakes structured by one thin edge opposed to a thick side pro‐duced from core‐edge removal, a typical feature of Discoid technology. This side coincideswith a natural or flaked back, a steep scar, a large butt, but in the cases taken into accounthere these elements have been shaped in different ways and show different profiles onplane. Given the rarity of this occurrence in Lower and Middle Palaeolithic, an investiga‐tion has been carried out by integrating use‐wear traces to the techno‐typological analysis.

BACKED TOOLS FROM THE MIDDLE PALAEOLITHIC DISCOID TECHNOLOGY. AN ASSESSMENT ON TECHNOLOGY, SHAPING AND FUNCTION

Presenters

‐ PERESANI, Marco ([email protected])‐ DELPIANO, Davide ([email protected])‐ ZIGGIOTTI, Sara ([email protected])

Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

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Abstract

Çukuriçi Höyük is a prehistoric settlement located in western Turkey, near the site ofancient Ephesus. The settlement was occupied from the Neolithic to the Early Bronze Ageperiod (7th to 3rd millennium BC). the lithic study in this paper is concentrated on theNeolithic period of the site, and deals with the earliest artifacts from the first half (?6630cal BC) and the second half (6400‐6200 calBC) of 7th mill. BC.

The lithic assemblages of Çukuriçi Höyük are represented by remarkably high amountsof imported obsidian artifacts in comparison to lithics from other Neolithic sites in theregion. The ratio between obsidian and chert at Çukuriçi is around 85% to 15%, withslightly varieties in different contexts.

The Neolithic chipped stone industry at Çukuriçi Höyük is based on blade production,while knapping was carried on unidirectional blade cores, with the use of different modesof pressure technique, which seems to be very developed here. Cores have been found indifferent stages of exploitation. In both obsidian and chert, conical and bullet cores werediscovered at the site. However, it is clearly visible that obsidian blade products (blades,bladelets and micro‐blades) dominate the assemblages. Nevertheless, the main aim of thisstudy is to show whether there are possible technological differences in tool productionon different raw materials, i.e. obsidian and chert, even though morphological analysis sofar has shown that the main artifact types are present in both materials.

The majority of the less frequent chert finds in the assemblage seem to be of local pro‐venance. The second part of this paper questions how knapping properties and the qualityof raw material influenced the choice of it, if we take into account the availability of sour‐ces. Some results of the chert survey held in Ephesus region in 2014 will be pointed out inthe presentation, however the detailed provenance studies on chert, microscopic fossildetermination and further geochemical analysis are currently carried out by M. Brandl andM. Martinez.

RAW MATERIAL CHOICE MATTERS – OBSIDIAN VS. CHERT LITHIC TECHNOLOGY AT NEO‐LITHIC ÇUKURIÇI HÖYÜK IN WESTERN ANATOLIA

Presenters

‐ BOGDANA, Milić ([email protected])Istanbul University, Department of Archaeology, Turkey

‐ HOREJS, Barbara ([email protected])Institute for Oriental and European Archaeology, Austrian Academy of Science, Vienna,Austria



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Abstract

Tell Arqa, a prominent archaeological site in North Lebanon, has a precisely documen‐ted stratigraphical record spanning the 3rd and 2nd millennia. A rich lithic industry, mainlyfrom Early Bronze Age contexts, includes thousands of artefacts (tools and debitage), bothflint and obsidian. In this paper, we present our research focused on three main topics:technological study, use‐wear analysis and experimentation of the debitage technique(lever pressure). At Tell Arqa during the EBA several chaînes opératoires coexist (blade,bladelet and flake production), but also different debitage techniques (direct hard andsoft percussion, pressure). The use‐wear analysis confirms that glossed tools, which formthe bulk of the EBA assemblage, were used as sickle‐blades for cereal harvesting and notas tribulum. Evidence for other, secondary functions or re‐use of glossed blades includeworking on hard mineral material, bones or pottery.

THE LITHIC INDUSTRY OF TELL 'ARQA (AKKAR PLAIN, NORTH LEBANON)

Presenters

‐ MARCHAND, Florine ([email protected])Université Libre de Bruxelles

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Abstract

Lapidary stone beads of the Early Harappan are relatively rare and show little standar‐dization in their morphology and technique of production. They have often escaped detai‐led investigation. Recent excavations at Datrana in North Gujarat, Western India broughtto light several small disc beads of carnelian and jasper/chert along with several thou‐sands of lithic blades belonging to the Early Harappan period that has been dated to 3000BCE. A detailed study of several unfinished beads and bead rough‐outs along with debita‐ge of the bead industry revealed knapping innovations in the bead production. The newmethod used in the production of beads was an extension of the blade technology; effec‐tively adapted for producing thin, disc‐like flakes just as platform rejuvenation flakes fromcylindrical blade cores. Hundreds of such small, discs and cylindrical blade cores are reco‐vered from the site. The discs were later pierced at the centre by pecking from both sides,which significantly varied from the standard Urban Harappan drilling using cylindrical drill‐bits. The difference is also apparent in the rough‐grinding and polishing of the beads. Thetechnique could be seen as an innovative adaptation of the blade technique for the pro‐duction of simple beads by the Early Harappan stone knappers. The paper examines diffe‐rent stages of the innovative bead knapping technique along with techniques of blade pro‐duction at the site.

EARLY HARAPPAN DISC BEADS AND STONE KNAPPING INNOVATIONS

Presenters

‐ POTTENTAVIDA Ajithprasad ([email protected])The M. S. University of Baroda

‐ MADELLA, Marco ([email protected])Universitat Pompeu Fabra and IMF‐CSIC, Spain

‐ GADEKAR, Charusmita ([email protected])Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India



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Abstract

This paper deals with the lithic assemblages belonging to two contemporary Harappansites involved in different economic production practices. Both the sites are situated inGujarat, Western India and flourished during the mid‐third millennium BCE. One of thesites is Bagasra, situated in Rajkot district and the other site is Shikarpur, situated inKachchh district. Bagasra was an important craft production centre while Shikarpur wasinvolved in inter‐regional trade and exchange.

Bagsara has provided evidence of being self‐sufficient in its lithic tool use whileShikarpur has shown heavy reliance on imported tools. The studies have shown that thecraft community at Bagasra was utilizing “formal tools” that had undergone additionaleffort in their production. The “formal tools” are often linked with populations practicingmore mobile settlement strategies (and having short‐term site occupations). Their presen‐ce at the site of Bagasra is thus intriguing since Bagasra was not a mobile settlement. Thevast number of imported stone tools (Rohri chert blades) recovered from Shikarpur, onthe other hand shows utilization without additional efforts. These two assemblages reflectthe context of their production and use and show marked differences in their typologicalas well as technological features.

A COMPARISON OF LITHIC ASSEMBLAGES BELONGING TO ECONOMICALLY DIVERSESETTLEMENTS FLOURISHING DURING MID‐THIRD MILLENNIUM BCE GUJARAT

Presenters

‐ GADEKAR, Charusmita ([email protected])Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India

‐ POTTENTAVIDA, Ajithprasad ([email protected])The M. S. University of Baroda

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Abstract

Since the late Neolithic, intentional breakage of laminar blanks begins to be commonin groups with high fracturing indexes in their lithic industries overall, enduring throug‐hout the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age. The objective is to obtain smaller and morestandardized modules to be used in a sequence to prepare complex tools. In this paper westudy the fracture systems and stigmas associated with each of them in order to determi‐ne their characteristics on archaeological material, and therefore establishing differenceswith accidental fractures that occur during use or post‐depositional processes.

BREAKING ROCKS: CONFIGURATION SYSTEMS OF LITHIC INSTRUMENTS IN RECENT PREHISTORY

Presenters

1.‐ LÓPEZ RODRÍGUEZ, Mª Cristina ([email protected])2. ‐ GUTIÉRREZ SÁEZ, C. ([email protected])3.‐ MARTÍN LERMA, I. ([email protected])

1‐2. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; 3. Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain



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Abstract

This paper intends to explain the structure of a large‐scale agricultural site that charac‐terized the Yayoi Period, the early agrarian stage of Japan, on the basis of analyses of lithicartifacts and debitage.

Neolithic society of the western area of the Japanese archipelago suddenly transfor‐med from the previous small‐scale Jomon society to Yayoi genuine agricultural societythat characterized large‐scale settlement, surrounded by ditches. Here is one of the mostimportant issues to explain the mechanism of ancient social transformation and the rela‐tionship between the beginning of the rice cultivation and it.

Traditionally, Japanese archaeologists have approached this issue from the standpointof settlement archaeology. However, this paper contributes to explaining this phenome‐non on the basis of analysing the assemblage of chipped stone tools and debitage. It beco‐mes possible to reveal relationships among human groups reflected in lithic procurement,transportation and consumption strategies, and pave the way for a comparative study ofprehistoric age from the single point of view.

The investigation of lithic assemblage unearthed in Higashinara Site, a representativelarge‐scale site of the Middle Yayoi Period (second and first centuries B.C.), located inOsaka Prefecture. First of all, it is indicated that the site is regarded as the compoundmade up of several of the settlement units through the analysis of the actual conditionshown in the location and function of each structural remains. Based on the assessment,some characteristics of lithic assemblages unearthed from different area of the site arecompared to clarify the relationship among settlement units.

According to my field survey, the type of cortex is originated in the difference of thegeological background of each spot in source area of lithic raw material, and tells theancient procurement zone. The observation and classification of cortex type imply diffe‐rences among the settlement units of the site. Further, in each settlement area, lithic con‐centrations that have the difference in the composition of debitage are contiguous, thusit is thought that the production of stone tool was not simultaneously carried out in thesame place and time.

Given the above data, it is evaluated that the settlement units of the site are remotelyrelated especially in the procurement of lithic raw materials. The results of my previousstudy suggest that ties among settlements became clear in the late phase of the FinalJomon Period (ca. tenth to sixth centuries B.C.), and maintained in the Early Yayoi Period(ca. fourth to third centuries B.C.). In the Middle Yayoi Period, ties formed among settle‐ments close to one another, and it seemed to be a large‐scale agricultural society. Theemergence of large‐scale Yayoi settlements could be interpreted as a “descendant” ofevolving Jomon society.

LITHIC DEBITAGE STUDY AND ORGANIZATION OF SETTLEMENT IN NEOLITHIC WESTERNJAPAN

Presenter

‐ UEMINE, Atsushi ([email protected])

The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research / Institute for Research in Humanities, KyotoUniversity

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to clarify the structure and the group of the settlementsites of the Middle Yayoi period in Japan. The Yayoi period is the time when rice growingbegan in Japan and is about 2000 years old. Today, it is said that the village of the Yayoiperiod composes one village because plural groups live in the neighborhood. It is a unityof plural buildings to be regarded as important for the authorization of this group andassume them one unit it in near relation group. This group is labeled the “fundamentalgroup”. But I wonder if the group is really one group? This study makes questions whetherone fundamental group in the Yayoi settlement sites consists of one group or severalgroups.

Tools had traces of the habits of the knappers that is produced by a person or a group.It varies between those people and groups which produced them when it is different totools. The stone tools can provide evidence for the context of the production unlike otherremains. In other words, the stone tools are a suitable material culture to observe a habitof makers.

I selected one of three fundamental groups of the Kamo site in Hyogo prefecture,Japan. Here, there were numerous stone tools (tools, flakes and others) excavated, and itis thought that there was a stone tool manufacturing area. The technique and materials (akind of the andesite called sanukite) used were the same, and arrowheads and scrapersdominate the assemblage. The circumference of arrowhead is customized to fix the form,and the trace of the procedure is evidenced on the arrowheads.

As a result of analysis, it was recognized that procedures of the processing were diffe‐rent at two points in the manufacturing areas. In a group that had been considered to beone group until now, I was able to find two groups. I was able to point out that the unityof the building did not show the unity of the group in Yayoi settlement sites.

STONE TOOLS HAVE TRACES OF THE KNAPPERS' HABIT

Presenter

‐ ASAI, Takua ([email protected])

Doshisha University Graduate School of Letters



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Abstract

Rotary querns were important utensils in everyday life on the island of Gran Canaria inpre‐European times. They are ubiquitous in archaeological sites (both domestic and stora‐ge places). These artefacts have been the object of previous studies in the Canary Islands,but aspects of their production process only began to be researched more recently. To dothis, the role of the quarries, as production centers for rotary querns with a clear intentionof creating surpluses, will be taken as the focus of attention. In a first stage, the quarrieswere identified and described, and secondly the specific provenance of the raw materialshas been studied, and is still on‐going. Volcanic tuff (compacted lapilli) was a very impor‐tant raw material used to make these artefacts (Rodríguez‐Rodríguez et al., 2004), it hasbeen our main object of research during the last years. But recently we had discovered notonly vesicular basalt quarries, but also a specific workshop to shape this type of tool.

Vesicular basalt is difficult for knapping because of its hardness and surface irregula‐rity. The fracturing is very irregular, difficult to classify as conchoidal. We thought that theancient Canarians retrieved this raw material in the basins of the ravines or in coastalareas, in order to get more manageable pieces for making querns. The recent archaeolo‐gical excavation of a series of caves located in the Barranco de Cardones (Arucas, GranCanaria), has revealed the existence of workshops dedicated to the configuration of thiskind of basalt for rotary querns and other milling material. We present our study aboutthe modalities of knapping this type of basalt emphasizing in techniques of knapping,which are different from those of volcanic tuff.

THE BARRANCO CARDONES WORKSHOP (ARUCAS, GRAN CANARIA). AN EXAMPLE OFKNAPPING VESICULAR BASALT FOR MAKING ROTARY QUERNS

Presenters

1. ‐NARANJO MAYOR, Yurena ( [email protected])2. ‐ FRANCISCO ORTEGA, Isabel ([email protected])3. ‐ RODRÍGUEZ RODRÍGUEZ, Amelia ([email protected])

1‐3. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 2. Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna(España)

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Abstract

The discoveries of early and middle Paleolithic sites in the south/east Africa encoura‐ged the archaeology of prehistory in north/east Africa in general. Sudan is one of the mostimportant corridors of early cultural diffusion, the location and the landscape were themain attributes to attract the concentration of studies. Since the 1940’s many early andmiddle Paleolithic sites have been discovered, with most of the research focus on theplace and early cultures’ movement from southeast to northeast Africa. A few of the stu‐dies focused on the stone tools and revealed many taxonomic items from early to middlePaleolithic tools. In general the discoveries from north and central Sudan show a large dif‐ferentiation in tools production and typologies. That raised many questions related to thetransition from early to middle Paleolithic: How and why the technologies changed?

This paper discusses the transitional change in the technology, raw materials and typo‐logy in the Sudan from the survey and test pits collections in 2014 from the eastern desertof Atbara River. The author conducted a survey and six sites have been discovered: five ofthese sites close to the river, which are related to the MSA technology; and one from faraway in the eastern desert, consisting of a large quantity of material from the earlyPaleolithic to MSA stone tools. The data from the six sites revealed different raw materialsand typologies, and at the same time shows gradual technological horizons. The largehomogenous and heterogeneous types of stone tools, some related to the earlyPaleolithic and other closely to MSA technology.

The study of collections, established not from techniques alone, but also typologiesand raw material, and then classification carried out on tool size and weight and descrip‐tion the tool edges, end, butt, faces, striking platform and the function of tools. This leadsto an understanding of stone tool chronology and typology and the elements pertainingto the transitions from the comparison with southeast and northeast Africa.

FROM ACHEULEAN TO MSA STONE TOOL PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING TECHNIQUESCHANGES IN THE SUDAN, FROM THE EASTERN DESERT OF LOWER ATBARA RIVER

Presenter

‐ NASSR, Ahmed ([email protected])Faculty of Arts, Archaeology Dept. Al‐Neelain University, Sudan



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Abstract

This paper explores the diversity of different core reduction strategies employed inMiddle Stone Age (MSA) sites in the Western Cape of South Africa. Our particular interestis the relationship between the different strategies and the materials on which theyapplied. Our study uses quantitative methods to characterise discoid, non‐discoid andbipolar reduction of cores, and the timing of heat treatment and pressure flaking. Weargue that MSA reduction was elaborately articulated with materials at hand, with knap‐ping actions changing over time and space as procedures were expressed or represseddepending on context. This image indicates that simple normative images of knapping areunlikely to capture the variety of MSA practices or the breadth of knappers’ skills and lear‐ning represented in those assemblages.

VARIABILITY IN MIDDLE STONE AGE CORE REDUCTION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

Presenters

‐ HISCOCK, Peter ([email protected]) University of Sydney

‐ MACAKAY, Alex ([email protected])University of Wollongong

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Abstract

There have been relatively few detailed studies of stone hammers from an analyticalpoint of view over the few last decades. Only in recent times have some experimentalapproaches arisen on topics such as nut‐cracking or the recognition of different techni‐ques of percussion. In the present paper we analyse in detail the effects of using differenttypes of Active Zones of Percussion (AZPs) of hammerstones in knapping actions. Weanalyse a varied sample of hammerstones coming from different Acheulian and earlyMiddle Palaeolithic sites of the Iberian Peninsula. Lastly we discuss some considerationsabout the differences and similarities of both techno‐complexes from the perspective oftheir techniques of percussion.

TECHNIQUES OF PERCUSSION THROUGH THE ACHEULIAN AND THE EARLY MIDDLEPALAEOLITHIC OF THE IBERIAN PENINSULA: AN EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH TO THEUNDERSTANDING OF KNAPPING TECHNIQUES

Presenters

1. ‐ CUARTERO MONTEAGUDO, Felipe ([email protected])2. ‐ BOURGUIGNON, Laurence3. ‐ BAENA PREYSLER, Javier ([email protected])

1/3. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; 2. INRAP



18

Abstract

The open air, loess site of Katta Sai is located in Uzbekistan, in the western Tian Shanpiedmonts, approximately 100km SEE of Tashkent, near the Yangiobod village. Lithic arti‐facts were located in a single horizon in a quite dense concentration. A number of refit‐tings indicates its homogeneity. Excavations at Katta Sai site started in 2013 by a Polish‐Russian‐Uzbec research group allowed to identify a new variant of human adaptation inthe regional Middle Paleolithic.

As the raw material, the river pebbles brought from the nearby river gorges were used.Among the raw material, mainly effusive rocks of aphanitic and porphyritic textures werepresent. These rocks are common in alluvial sediments, but are not dominating (phaneriticrocks dominate there), what indicates the intentional selection of raw material, orientedtowards felsic aphanites. A minor amount of artifacts are made of exotic rocks, such as sili‐cites, metamorphic rocks and jasper. What is particularly interesting in the Katta Saiassemblage is that the use of rounded river pebbles restricted the manufacturing processheavily.

The preliminary analyses shown that we dealing with here a predetermined flake tech‐nology, focused on obtaining thin flakes or even blades. However, the manufacturingscheme was adjusted to the poor quality raw material. The use of a very hard, poorly sili‐cified rock, did not allow for a sequence of small, precise removals. In consequence thepredetermination of the blanks’ shape had to be designed more by a careful intensive pre‐paration of a striking surface.

RAW MATERIAL PROCUREMENT AND ITS CONSEQUENCES FOR KNAPPING TECHNO‐LOGY IN THE MIDDLE PALAEOLITHIC SITE OF KATTA SAI, WESTERN TIAN SHAN PIED‐MONTS (UZBEKISTAN)

Presenters

‐ KOT, Malgorzata ([email protected])University of Warsaw

‐ KRAJCARZ, Maciej T. ([email protected])Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences

‐ PAVLENOK, Konstantin (pavlenok‐[email protected])Institute of Archaeology and Etnography, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences

‐ KRAJCARZ, Magdalena ([email protected])Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences

‐ LAZAREV, Sergei Yu ([email protected])Laboratory of Mesozoic and Cenozoic continental ecosystems, Tomsk State Universit

‐ RADZHABOV, AlisherArchaeological Institute of the Uzbek Academy of Sciences

‐ SNEIDER, Svetlana ([email protected])Institute of Archaeology and Etnography, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences

‐ SZYMCZAK, Karol ([email protected])Institute of Archaeology, the University of Warsaw

19



Abstract

Recent, detailed studies of Middle and Early Upper Paleolithic sites are quite rare insouthern Burgundy. Here, we present insights gained from on‐going analyses of LateMiddle Paleolithic lithic assemblages from the Grotte de la Verpillière II, near Chalon‐sur‐Saône in southern Burgundy. The site contains three geological horizons (GHs) that haveyielded intact material attributed to the Middle Paleolithic (GH 3, 4x and 4). MiddlePaleolithic accumulations were deposited on top of a layer of rockfall from the interior ofthe shelter roof. Slightly after the MP occupation, a significant collapse destroyed largeparts of the rock shelter, leaving the site as it appears today: as a collapsed rock shelterwith a cave‐like karst tunnel. From lithic variation, specific spatial distribution, refittingtrials and the geological setting, it seems probably that only 25% of the site is and wasunder excavation (campaigns 2006‐2015). We present here the preliminary conclusions ofanalyses of the lithic assemblages from the site.

The primary lithic raw material is local flint from the argiles à silex, a cretaceous flintmainly reworked in the Eocene. In addition, some varieties of local Chaille (Jurassic chert)as well as isolated examples of unidentified flint are present. The intact Middle Paleolithiclayers also contain quartzite, quartzitic sandstone, and sandstone and quartz variationsthat were mainly used as hammerstones and anvils. The lithic industries of the MiddlePaleolithic contain the complete operational sequence from unworked raw pieces to com‐pleted tools that were used and discarded. Lithic material from GH 3 contains more than200 cores (tested raw pieces, configured and exhausted cores) together with blanks accu‐mulated from core surface correction they attest to on‐site lithic reduction activities. Thedominant mode of production is recurrent reduction on convex surfaces. The presence ofexhausted Levallois cores, a large number of cortical blanks and also thin, flat blanks withsometimes‐faceted butts suggests that the dominant litho‐technological approach wasLevallois and that a major portion of the lithic material from the Middle Paleolithic layersderives from on‐site reduction processes.

Some particular lithic objects show double patination and/or multiple retouch, sugges‐ting a diachronic object biography. From macroscopic analysis, we suggest that numerouswanted blanks were hafted. The presence of tool tips and also fragments that might bebroken while hafted could point out that retooling and tool maintenance was an impor‐tant on‐site activity. In the sequence of GH 3, also some highly variable bifacial elementsare present. Mostly they are asymmetric in plan view, with the presence of tranchet blows(para‐burin blows) and the preference of one cutting edge. A classical allocation followingBordesian typology would present serious challenges in the case of lithic industries thatcontain such highly variable bifacial elements. Other sites in Western Europe yielding bac‐ked asymmetrical bifacial pieces with tranchet blows (e.g. Grotte de la Verpillière I a.k.aGrotte de Germolles) have been attributed to several different industries: theKeilmessergruppen (KMG), the Mousterian with bifacial tools (MBT), the Charentian witha Micoquian influence, for example.

LATE MIDDLE PALEOLITHIC INDUSTRIES OF GROTTE DE LA VERPILLIÈRE II (SAÔNE‐ET‐LOIRE, FRANCE)

Presenter

‐ FRICK, Jens Axel (jens‐[email protected]‐tuebingen.de)Tübingen University



20

Abstract

The Oscurusciuto rock shelter, located in southern Italy, has yielded a long MiddlePaleolithic stratigraphy rich in lithic assemblages, fireplaces and faunal remains attestingNeanderthal occupation during the MIS 3. The paper is focused on the stratigraphic unit13 consisting of a sandy compact deposit mixed with pyroclastic sediment above a thicklevel of tephra‐US 14, identified as Mt. Epomeo Green Tuff (dated Ar/Ar 55 ± 2 kya). Thelevel 13 represents the first stable human occupation after the deposition of tephra. Ourgoal was to examine the lithic assemblage of this stratigraphic unit by interdisciplinaryapproaches (technology, RMU, refitting program, spatial studies) in order to identify theeconomical behavior and technical strategies of Neanderthals occupying the stratigraphicunit 13 of Oscurusciuto. We intended to reach this purpose by: the description of the eco‐nomic behavior with respect to the acquisition and the exploitation of raw material andthe production of lithic tools; the identification of the chaîne opératoire; the definition ofconcepts, methods, dynamics and objectives of debitage. We considered two levels of“magnification” of the stratigraphic unit: general data obtained from technological analy‐sis and a more precise one obtained by the analysis of the elements that made up a singleraw material unit (RMU). The RMU allows us to analyse the industry in its smallest unit,the single pebble, which means the identification of technical events in order to get infor‐mation about the segmentation of the chaîne opératoire . A special focus has been givento the study of cores and the numerous refits and conjoins. The technical strategiesapplied indicated fragmentation of the reduction processes and probable events of impor‐tation and exportation of already finished objects. The main concept of debitage wasLevallois, generally realised on local jasper and siliceous limestone pebbles or cortical fla‐kes. Jasper and siliceous limestone long flakes, long backed flakes and convergent flakeswere the technological aims of the debitage. A marginal volumetric debitage aimed toproduce bladelets was also attested.

IMPORT – EXPORT AND PRODUCTION: MIDDLE PALEOLITHIC TECHNICAL BEHAVIOR ATTHE SU 13 OF OSCURUSCIUTO ROCK SHELTER, SOUTHERN ITALY.

Presenters

1. ‐ MARCIANI, Giulia ([email protected])2. ‐SPAGNOLO, Vincenzo ([email protected])3. ‐ AURELI, Daniele ([email protected])4. ‐ RANALDO, Filomena ([email protected])5. ‐ BOSCATO, Paolo ([email protected])6. ‐ RONCHITELLI, Annamaria ([email protected])

1. Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Italy ‐ Universitat Rovira I Virgili Tarragona Spain; 2/4‐6. Università degli Studi di Siena, Italy; 3. Universite Paris Ouest Nanterre La DefenseUMR 7041 ‐ArScAn ‐ equipe AnTET, France‐ Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, della Terra edell’Ambiente, UR Preistoria e Antropologia – Università degli Studi di Siena, Italy

21



Abstract

Technological rupture along Middle Palaeolithic sequences are attested in severalmulti‐layers sites in Europe. The change in productive processes can suggest the presenceof hunter‐gatherers groups with different cultural traditions, sharing different technicalknowledge. Traditionally the definition of the productive processes is based on the dicho‐tomy between “expedient” and “predetermined” techno‐complexes. Research ofNeanderthal technological variability is mainly focused on landscape mobility strategy asa parameter that explains the human cognitive abilities, the productive strategies, and thechanges in the organisation of technology. Little attention has been devoted to investigatethe relation between technical ruptures and the changes in occupational strategies at amicro‐scale of analysis.

We present the result of a multidisciplinary analysis of layer M and layer O at AbricRomaní Middle Palaeolithic rock‐shelter (Capellades, Barcelona – Spain), characterised byDiscoid and Levallois technology respectively. The site preserves a very rich archaeologicalrecord of animal bones, lithic remains, woody remains and numerous hearths, arrangedon well delimited occupational floors. It has been excavated over more than 200 m2 andevery single remain larger than 1 cm has been positioned in a Cartesian coordinate system(3D space: x, y, z). We have applied a multidisciplinary approach to reconstruct humanbehaviour within a high temporal resolution. This approach includes the morpho‐technicaland the diacritical analysis of the whole assemblage, the Raw Material Units analysis, lithicrefits and the identification of the spatio‐temporal relations between the archaeologicalaccumulations on the occupational floor.

These high‐resolution approach allows us to discuss changes in productive strategiesgoing beyond the classical “expedient‐predetermined” dichotomy, including into theanalysis several factors usually not considered into the technological analysis, such as (i)the flexibility of the technical systems, (ii) the temporal constraints within the activitiescarried out into the site (recycling behaviour) and (iii) the intra‐site occupational strategyas effect of different social organisation during these two phases of human presence inthe site.

TECHNICAL RUPTURES IN ABRIC ROMANÍ MIDDLE PALAEOLITHIC SITE: A MULTIDISCI‐PLINARY APPROACH TO IDENTIFY NEANDERTHAL TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIO‐ECONOMICORGANISATION

Presenters

1. ‐ROMAGNOLI, Francesca ([email protected])2. ‐ BARGALLÓ, Amelia3. ‐ CHACÓN, Maria Gema4. ‐ VAQUERO, Manuel

1. ‐ Dipartimento di Storia, Archeologia, Geografia, Arte e Spettacolo (SAGAS), Cattedra diPreistoria, Università di Firenze. Via S. Egidio, 21. 50122 Firenze, Italy. 2‐4. Institut Català dePaleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social (IPHES)



22

Abstract

Boker Tachtit located in the central Negev, Israel, was first excavated by A.E. Marks inthe 1970's. The site is situated within the main ecological corridor connecting Africa withEurasia, and, chronologically, positioned at the interface between the Middle and UpperPalaeolithic. Renewed excavations at Boker Tachtit (2013‐2014) are being carried out aspart of a broader collaborative study titled 'Timing of Cultural Change' in the frame ofMPWCIAA. The main aims of the new excavations are to secure the dating of the site usingabsolute dating methods, and to better understand the technological affinities of theassemblages and their possible origins. The focus of this study is on the latter aim. Thechaîne opératoire approach, combined with an attribute analysis and refitting, is used torelate the newly excavated assemblages with the ones from the old excavation. Using thismethod, differences between the archaeological units at the site are highlighted and aregional comparative study is carried out in search of possible antecedents. Initial resultssuggest that the sequence at Boker Tachtit represents one of the earliest UpperPalaeolithic traditions. Other sites within a similar geographical and chronological context,such as Taramsa 1 in the Nile Valley and Tor Sadaf in Jordan, reflect a similar, although notidentical, shift from a blade technology with Levallois elements to a true blade technology.Each of these assemblages reflects the same conceptual technological change while retai‐ning unique techno‐typological traits indicating a fusion of indigenous and exogenouslithic traditions. A special focus in this study is put on raw material exploitation and mana‐gement in order to clarify the mode of occupation and land use patterns. By using lithictechnology to infer human behavior this study offers a plausible interpretation for the roleof Boker Tachtit in the dispersal of human groups across the landscape.

A FRESH LOOK AT THE BOKER TACHTIT LITHIC ASSEMBLAGES FOLLOWING RENEWEDEXCAVATIONS

Presenters

1. ‐ GODER GOLDBERGER, Mae ([email protected])2. ‐ BOARETTO, Elisabetta ([email protected])3. ‐ MCPHERRON, Shannon P ([email protected])4. ‐ BARZILI, Omry ([email protected])

1‐2. ‐ Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel. 3. ‐ Max Planck Institute for EvolutionaryAnthropology, Leipzig, Germany. 4. ‐ Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel and IsraelAntiquities Authority, Jerusalem, Israel

23



Abstract

Recent research in the Atacama desert has shown intense late Pleistocene to earlyHolocene transition human occupations at the Punta Negra and Imilac basins at 3000 masl. Palaeoenvironmental reconstructions reveal wetter conditions due to increased pre‐cipitation and higher water tables between ~12.6 and ~10.2 ka, contemporary to humanoccupations when both basins were wetlands. The onset of aridity by the end of the wetphase fully coincided with the end of human occupations in this area. The archaeologicalsites at Punta Negra and Imilac consist mostly of open‐air base camps, quarries, and lithicworkshops, located along the coastlines of both basins. The lithic assemblages weremainly recovered from the surface and chiefly consist of a wide variety of flake tools, scra‐pers, cores, and other artifacts, as well as different types of projectile points. In thisregard, we approach the lithic assemblage of the early occupations of Punta Negra andImilac from the perspective of the Anthropologie de la Technologie, where artifacts areunderstood as the result of a dynamic process that involves the transmission and acquisi‐tion of knowledge and techniques. The reconstruction of the methods, techniques, andgestures involved in the production of this lithic assemblage, enable the understanding ofinternal recurrences and variability. The extended spatial dispersion of the debitage andknapping methods identified by our study suggests the simultaneous occupation betweenthe ~12.6 and 10.2 ka of both palaeo‐wetlands by groups sharing the same knowledge andtechniques. On the other hand, within assemblage variability is better explained by a dif‐ferential use of local lithic resources at each locale.

TECHNOLOGICAL VARIABILITY IN LATE PLEISTOCENE ‐ EARLY HOLOCENE LITHIC ASSEM‐BLAGES AT THE IMILAC‐ PUNTA NEGRA BASINS (ATACAMA DESERT, SOUTH AMERICA)

Presenters

‐ KELLY, Patricia ([email protected])Universidad de Chile

‐ CARTAJENA, Isabel ([email protected])

‐ MÉNDEZ , César ([email protected])Departamento de Antropología, Universidad de Chile

‐ NÚÑEZ, Lautaro ([email protected])Instituto de Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Museo, Universidad Católica del Norte

‐ FAÚNDEZ , Wilfredo ([email protected])Universidad de Tarapacá

‐ LOYOLA, Rodrigo ([email protected])

‐ SIERRALTA, Simón ([email protected])



24

Abstract

Lagoa Santa is a karstic savannah region that has been investigated since the ninete‐enth century. There, rock‐shelters have been excavated that contain well‐preservedremains of the earliest human occupations of this part of South America and, despite overa hundred and fifty years of research in the area, very little was known about the techno‐logical organization of the prehistoric lithic industries of the region.

This study is part of a larger project entitled "Origins and Microevolution of Man inAmerica: an paleoanthropological approach" which investigated the prehistoric occupa‐tion of the region and provided more extensive data on the processes involved in the for‐mation of the archaeological record in the plateau of Lagoa Santa. Models related to set‐tlements systems, survival strategies and regional paleoenvironments were been syste‐matically tested in the light of data generated by fifteen years of archaeological research.Today, we know that between 12,000 and 10,000 BP humans have only roamed the karst,because there is no trace of permanent settlements dating from that period. Studies haveshown that it was the environmental conditions at the beginning of the Holocene, espe‐cially between 10,000 to 7,500 BP, which marked the denser occupations of rock shelterson Lagoa Santa, mainly due to the availability of surface water.

The stratigraphy and dating of the Lagoa Santa archaeological sites demonstrate thatthere was an intense process of occupation of the shelters at karstic plateau between 9,700and 7,500 BP. The observed variability in the density of lithic assemblages of the earlymillennia of the Holocene may result from changes in resource management strategies inresponse of those groups to the karstic paleoclimatic conditions. Acclimated by the speci‐ficity of changes in local resources, the shift towards expedient practices (such as collectionof lithic raw material readily available) and standardisation of lithic remains can mean,among other things, changes in residential mobility and function of sheltered places.

Resulting from a successful adaptation to local environmental conditions progressivelymore predictable during the early Holocene, these context may also be related to a higherpopulation density observed in the archaeological record.

THE LITHICS OF LAGOA SANTA: A STUDY OF THE TECHNOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION OFANCIENT HUNTER‐GATHERERS FROM CENTRAL BRAZIL

Presenters

‐ PUGLIESE Jr., Francisco A. ([email protected])Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia, Universidade de São Paulo

‐ ARAUJO, Astolfo G. M. ([email protected])MAE/USP, São Paulo, Brasil

25



Abstract

Direkli Cave is in the Central Taurus of Mediterranean region, located at 1510m asl onthe steep hillside of Delik Höbek Mountain. The cave was occupied by hunter‐gatherersduring the Younger Dryas. The occupation is different from other sites of Antalya groupsdue to chipped stone industries as well as lifestyle and cave use rhythm by hunter‐gathe‐rers in 13,000 BP. The chipped stone industries from Direkli Cave have been identified asdominated by crescents. Additionally, these pieces can be attributed to Epipaleolithic cul‐tures as well as the beginning of the agricultural phase. Even if archaeologists generallyargue that terracotta firstly appeared during the Neolithic (8000 BC), we can find a lot offired clay pieces from Direkli Cave, and we also found a female figurine that was made offired clay in archaeological layer 7, that is referred to the Epipaleolithic period of DirekliCave. The finding has remarkable value because of its greater antiquity than a Neolithicdate.

The figurine is probably related with, directly, technological advancement and, indi‐rectly, the mental position of Epipaleolithic inhabitants. Chipped stone elements has beenreflected in the innovation of technological practices, especially lunates or crescents. Bothof them have provided opportunities to put forward lifestyle or traditional practices ofcreators of cultures in the Epipaleolithic period. Firstly this presentation aims to demons‐trate differences between Epipaleolithic and Natufian through the analysis of chippedstone technologies; and secondly we will distinguish these differences from the closestneighbour site of the Direkli Cave occupation.

THE 11 MILLENNIUM BC CAVE SITE OF DIREKLI IN CENTRAL TAURUS

Presenters

‐ EREK, Cevdet Merih ([email protected])Gazi University, Turkey



26

Abstract

In papers dedicated to the Iberian Pleistocene‐Holocene transition it is not common tofind studies on the use of small‐medium pebbles as hammerstones. Some of these peb‐bles have been documented associated with a blade‐bladelet production at the Coves deSanta Maira site (Castell de Castells, Alacant, País Valencià, Spain). This circumstance hasmade us to undertake a study of these pieces to assess their role within the chaîne opé‐ratoire to knap bladelets dated in the Pleistocene‐Holocene transition.

Our goal is to approach the lithic technology of the different Epipalaeolithic levelstaking into account the characteristics of the lithic productions as well as the hammersto‐nes that are associated. To carry out this task we have analysed the lithic productionsystems with the objective of understanding the organization and the techniques used inthis process.

• On the one hand, we have undertaken a macroscopic analysis of the hammerstonesfrom a morphological, functional and use‐wear marks perspective, in order to obtain dataabout the type of use.

• On the other hand, we have made a comparison between experimental hammers totest the assumptions made on the basis of the archaeological materials.

• Finally, we have compared the results obtained from hammerstone studies withthose of the techno‐economic study of lithic production.

At the end of the Upper Palaeolithic the use of pebbles as hammerstones at differentsites in the Spanish Mediterranean region has been described. This analysis providesdirect data on flintknapping techniques and retouching that can be contrasted with thedata obtained from different blade‐bladelet production. Therefore it is an approach thatcombines integrated techno‐functional and experimental data to analyse the flintknap‐ping processes during the Epipalaeolithic of central and southern part of the SpanishMediterranean region.

FLINTKNAPPING IN THE PLEISTOCENE‐HOLOCENE TRANSITION. HAMMERSTONESFROM SPANISH MEDITERRANEAN REGION

Presenters

‐ VADILLO‐CONESA , Margarita ([email protected])Universitat de València

‐ JARDÓN GINER, Paula ([email protected])Departament de Didàctica i Organització Escolar, Universitat de València, València, Spain

‐ AURA TORTOSA , J.Emili ([email protected])Departament de Prehistòria i Arqueologia, Universitat de València, València, Spain

27



Abstract

Our understanding of technology as an integral part of Mesolithic lifeways has beenhampered by a number of methodological and interpretive issues. On the one hand,approaches have tended to stress certain aspects of chaîne opératoires (e.g. technical,social or cognitive) at the expense others (e.g. processes, operations and techniques). Onthe other hand, they have largely focused on a few key assemblages from a single topo‐graphic zone (e.g. Star Carr?a 'lowland' site). Consequently, both issues have contributedto a tendency to 'type' technological processes as linear, uniform and static. This paperdemonstrates that a more nuanced characterisation is possible by combining the resultsof recent technological attributes analyses of lithic assemblages with a novel interpretiveframework (combining the best of traditional technological studies with other philosophi‐cal discourses on technology) to produce a re‐interpretation of British Mesolithic techno‐logical organisation on both a micro and a macro‐landscape scale. In doing so it will showthat the chaînes opératoires were highly complex and dynamic, incorporating both formalknapping trajectories and more contingent operations (resulting in feedback loops onthem). The choice of which was influenced by a range of factors, including raw materialavailability and morphology, risk, mobility strategies and 'cultural tradition'. Thus it willdemonstrate that knapping strategies were substantially more flexible than has beenhitherto appreciated.

UNSHACKLING THE 'CHAÎNES': A NEW APPROACH TO THE TECHNOLOGICAL ORGANISA‐TION OF THE BRITISH MESOLITHIC

Presenters

‐ PRESTON, Paul Richard ([email protected])Lithoscapes Archaeological Research Foundation, Carlisle, UK

‐ DAVENPORT‐MACKEY, Katie ([email protected])Lithoscapes Archaeological Research Foundation, Carlisle, UK. & School of Archaeology andAncient History, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK



28

Abstract

During the Late Mesolithic (6500‐4000 BC) hunters and fishers living in maritime areasin Western Norway, produced adzes, sharp points and edges from the utilization of a largevariety of different flint‐like raw materials. Rock crystal, Mylonite, Quartz and Quartzitesdominate the lithic assemblages, and all are used for debitage production. The exploita‐tion of such a large variety of raw materials observed from several of the large open airsites within the region, are likely to reflect patterns of movements between coastal andfjord locations; areas with different raw material availability. An important question in thisregard is whether the manufacturing processes of lithic tools based on a broad variety ofdifferent raw materials, are reflective of a limited repertoire of predetermined methods –easily accommodated and transferred onto different types of rocks – or if different rawmaterials restrict and demand different repertoires of technical actions, for the same toolmanufacturing processes? This question is part of an ongoing PhD project where themethods of the technological approach are applied. The main objective of the project isthe identification of different knapping techniques from using comparative referencecollections. A fundamental question to answer is whether or not a technological analysiscan provide further insight on issues regarding site functionality within the LateMesolithic? I will present some of preliminary aspects and results from studying lithicassemblages belonging to a key site in Western Norway: Lok 17 Havnen. Is it possible tocharacterize the lithic economy from this Late Mesolithic site, as an economy based ontransferable strategies and technologies?

TRANSFERABLE TECHNOLOGIES: FROM ONE RAW MATERIAL TO THE NEXT (?)

Presenters

‐ GRANADOS, Tina J. ([email protected])University of Bergen

29



Abstract

The lithic assemblages from those sites located on constrained lithological regions,such as Northwestern Iberia, are usually characterized by the predominance of specificraw materials such as quartzite or quartz. The consideration of some of these raw mate‐rials as a homogeneous group hinders the full recognition of their management and theanalysis of the technological dynamics applied to these rocks by the prehistoric societies.Regarding quartz, such uniform consideration does not usually take into account eitherthe formation processes, nor the textural variability or the mechanical properties of thisraw material.

In this presentation, the quartz morphostructural groups are presented as a simple butuseful methodological tool for apprehending the variability within this raw material. Thesevariables are focused on the texture and homogeneity of the blanks: specifically on thepresence of internal flaws and on the grain size. Along with the technological studies, thisclassification will allow us to identify the selection criteria applied on quartz and its rele‐vance to the technical needs required by the different strategies.

This paper presents an analysis of several lithic assemblages from Northwestern Spain,ranging from the Lower Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age, defined by the hegemonic role ofquartz. For the Palaeolithic period, the Acheulean site of Locus I from As Gándaras ofBudiño (Porrino, Pontevedra), the Solutrean open‐air site of Valverde (Monforte deLemos, Lugo) and the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic assemblages from Cova Eirós(Triacastela, Lugo) have been analysed. Meanwhile, among the Late Prehistory sites, threedomestic sites ‐Os Remedios, O Regueiriño (Moaña, Pontevedra), and Lavapés (Cangas,Pontevedra)‐, a burial mound ‐Chousa Nova I (Silleda, Pontevedra), and a rock shelter ‐elSantuario (Aliste, Zamora)‐ ranging from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age have been stu‐died.

The application of specific chaînes opératoires belonging to each technocomplex onquartz (Levallois and blade technology, leaf‐shaped points, bipolar knapping, etc.) showshow prehistoric knappers had a high level of knowledge of the different quartz types andof their specific technical requirements.

STONE TOOL PRODUCTION IN NORTHWESTERN SPAIN: SOME INSIGHTS ON THE SPECI‐FICS OF THE QUARTZ GROUP

Presenters

‐ RODRÍGUEZ‐RELLAN, Carlos ([email protected])Université de Nantes/ Laboratoire de Recherches Archéologiques

‐ DE LOMBERA HERMIDA, Arturo ([email protected])Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago. Spain



30

Abstract

The Bajo Deba is a geographical area with a large density of sites ascribed to the UpperPaleolithic. Aizkoltxo Cave is located in the municipality of Mendaro (Gipuzkoa) and wasdiscovered in 1927 by J.M. de Baraniarán and lead to excavations that began in 2003. Atthis conference we will present the study of lithic material recovered up to 2010, for whichwe have been able to reconstruct the technical process of the lithic production. In thissense it has been possible to characterize this manufacture sequence and the differentraw materials exploited by the hunter‐gatherer groups.

Thus this study has three points of analysis:

1. The technological characterisation of the processes of the volumetric reduction ofthe lithic material

2. The typological characterisation of the configurations for the retouched artefactsand the choosing of different blanks for the configurations.

3. The identification of different raw materials used, in which different processes ofknapping were identified within the overall dynamics of managing the flint.

KNAPPERS OF THE BAJO DEBA. THE UPPER MAGDALENIAN LITHIC PRODUCTION DYNA‐MICS AT THE AIZKOLTXO CAVE (MENDARO‐GIPUZKOA)

Presenter

‐ GARCIA‐ROJAS, Maite ([email protected])‐ MUJIKA ALUSTIZA, José Antonio

Universidad del País Vasco

31



Abstract

Mobility strategies and technological aspects of the Italian Gravettian are poorlyunderstood. An explanatory framework within which to understand the dynamics ofGravettian adaptations is lacking. We analysed the evidence coming from Riparo Mochi(Grimaldi caves, Balzi Rossi area, Liguria), one of the most complete stratigraphic sequen‐ce of the Upper Palaeolithic in Mediterranean Europe. The Balzi Rossi area is located in anarrow corridor, named as the Liguro‐Provençal Arc, that should have been a natural axischannelling the circulation of both humans and animals between central Italy andSouthern France. The position of Riparo Mochi in the osmotic center of the Liguro‐Provencal arc is critical to define the Gravettian diffusion/development in this area. In thispaper, we present the lithic assemblage coming from the Noaillian Gravettian ‐ Unit D,dated to 24600 ±100 14C ‐ from a typological and technological perspective; rock suppl‐ying outcrops are also characterized, and a reduction sequence is suggested; finally, a spe‐cial focus on the typology, technology and function of the burins is presented. Resultsshow that local raw material is the most exploited one even if French and central Italianflints were also imported to the site. In order to reconstruct the Gravettian reductionsequence, we interpret each blank as a product of a hypothetical reduction sequence bymeans of the classification of the technical features of blanks ‐ such as dorsal scars, crests,dimensions, presence/absence of cortex – together with an experimental knapping acti‐vity. The main technical goal was the production of elongated blanks (blades) by means ofthe uni‐directional method of debitage. The original morphology of the cores – here sub‐divided into pebbles, blocks (including nodules and slabs), flakes (including burin cores)influences how the method of debitage was realized. The comparison between stone pro‐venance and technical aspects allow us to suggest a long‐distance mobility, suitable forthe exploitation of a large area spanning from Provence to central Italy.

A TECHNOLOGICAL OVERVIEW OF THE NOAILLIAN GRAVETTIAN OF RIPARO MOCHI(BALZI ROSSI, ITALY)

Presenters

‐ SANTIANELLO, Fabio ([email protected])‐ GRIMALDI, Stefano ([email protected])

Università degli studi di Trento, Italy



32

Abstract

The technological study on two Acheulean lithic collections from Cortijo El Cavillo (Loja,Granada) and Piedras Negras (Ronda, Málaga) are presented in this poster. Both sites arelocated in separate interior depressions of the Betic mountain system of Southern Iberia.

The first site, Cortijo Calvillo, has been technologically studied for the first time byapplying by applying diacritic analysis, having previously been published with typologicaldescriptions. This has emphasized some features that are technologically poorly develo‐ped within the European Acheulean techno‐complex, similar to those documented inTafesa (Madrid) or Pinedo (Toledo). The sample is dominated by flint, mainly trihedralpicks and hand‐axes, abandoned after exhaustion, which should be related to the com‐mon use of his place, supposedly an animal gathering ground, due to the presence of natu‐ral salt water springs.

The second site, Piedras Negras (Ronda, Málaga), is being presented for the first time.This site represents a significant find for the understanding of the first occupation of thismountain region in the Serrania de Ronda. Applying the same methodological criteria, wecan distinguish an evolved Acheulean techno‐complex, having dominated clearly differentmethods and techniques for creating these objects, elements which in many occasions arenon‐finished or are at a mid‐stage. The site of Piedras Negras is interpreted as a frequen‐ted area for obtaining the characteristic raw material (quartz‐sandstone) from which thetools were made.

The internally coherent technology of both samples and the interpretation of the dif‐ferent contexts allow us to overcome descriptive and typological criteria characteristic ofthe studies of the Acheulean lithic findings in the south of the Iberian Peninsula.Therefore, some bifacial elements, as is the case of Piedras Negras, must be related totransformation tasks during initial conformation stages and not typological archaism.

ACHEULEAN LITHIC TECHNOLOGY AND RAW MATERIALS IN SOUTHERN IBERIA

Presenters

‐ JIMÉNEZ‐COBOS, Francisca ([email protected])‐ MORGADO, Antonio ( [email protected])

Depto. Prehistoria y Arqueología, Univ. de Granada, Granada, España

33



Abstract

We present the results of a preliminary study on lithic materials from the prehistoricsettlement of Realmese ‐ Calascibetta (Enna, central Sicily), investigated by L. BernabòBrea in 1950‐52. The excavation was carried out in four trenches, with cuts made at aboutevery 20 cm. Fine and coarse ware dates between the Middle Neolithic and the LateChalcolithic.

The important amount of lithic artefacts reveals differentiated productions of lamellar,laminar and flake blanks and a wide range of local and exotic raw materials (quartz/quart‐zitic rocks, fine‐grained flint and obsidian), during the different periods.

VARIABILITY IN THE EXPLOITATION OF LITHIC RAW MATERIALS FROM THE MIDDLENEOLITHIC TO THE LATE CHALCOLITHIC, AT REALMESE SITE (CALASCIBETTA ‐ ENNA,CENTRAL SICILY)

Presenters

1. ‐ QUERO, Tania ([email protected])2. ‐ ALBANESE, Rosa Maria3. ‐ PROCELLI, Enrico

1. ‐ University of Trieste, Specialisation School in Archaeological Heritage. 2‐3. University ofCatania



34

Abstract

Piedmont is an Italian region of the western Alps characterized, from the MiddlePalaeolithic until the Neolithic, by the use of vein quartz as the main exploited raw mate‐rial.

Middle Palaeolithic is well attested in the caves of Monte Fenera: Ciutarun, RiparoBelvedere and Ciota Ciara cave that, investigated during the 1970s and the 1990s, showedfor the first time the extensive use of vein quartz in the region. The systematic excavationsat Ciota Ciara cave were started again in 2009 by the University of Ferrara. The lithicindustry comprises more than the 80% of local vein quartz that has been exploitedthrough the Levallois, the discoid, the S.S.D.A. and the Kombewa s.l. knapping methods.Similarly, the lithic industry found at Vaude, another locality of Western Piedmont, is cha‐racterized by the almost exclusive use of vein quartz (91%) for the production of stonetools. As for the Ciota Ciara cave, also here all the typical Mousterian knapping methodsare represented. From the Vaude area also come some quartz blades that could belong tothe Upper Paleolithic and a quartz arrow point probably dated Copper age, while someEpigravettian quartz bladelets were found during the 1960's at Riparo Belvedere (MonteFenera).

The Mesolithic occupation of Piedmont is attested by the Alpe Veglia site (NorthernPiedmont, 1750 m asl) where survey and excavation campaigns have been carried out bythe University of Ferrara in the 1990's. The lithic industry is mainly composed by hyalinequartz, followed by vein quartz and flint tools. It attests the occupation of the area by hun‐ter‐gatherers during the ancient Mesolithic. Two isolated tools, typologically referable tothe Mesolithic, were found some years ago at Alpone (North‐western Piedmont) but justrecently they have been identified as such by the authors.

The use of vein quartz during the Neolithic period is shown by the lithic industry foundin 2003 at Lago Pistorno (Montalto Dora – Western Piedmont). The most particular featu‐re of this lithic assemblage is the use of vein quartz for the production of arrow points.

Recent survey campaigns, carried out by the authors, allowed an identification of pre‐historic occupation of the Sessera valley (North‐eastern Piedmont) even if the lack of diag‐nostic elements does not allow its precise chronological positioning.

LIVE WITHOUT CHERT. THE USE OF VEIN QUARTZ IN THE PREHISTORY OF PIEDMONT(NORTH‐WESTERN ITALY)

Presenters

‐ DAFFARA, Sara ([email protected]) Universitat Rovira i Virgili

‐ BERRUTI, Gabriele L.F. ([email protected])Universidade de Trás‐os‐Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal, Associazione cul‐turale 3P – Progetto

‐ BERTÈ, Davide F ([email protected]) Preistoria Piemonte, San Mauro Torinese, Italy

‐ CARACAUSI, Sandro ([email protected])Tarragona, Spain, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy, Associazione culturale 3P ‐progetto Preistoria Piemonte, San Mauro Torinese, Italy

35


‐ DAFFARA, Sara; BERRUTI, Gabriele L.F.; BERTÈ, Davide F; CARACAUSI, Sandro

Life without chert. The use of vein quartz in the prehistory of Piedmont (North‐western Italy)

From the Middle Palaeolithic until the Neolithic period it is evident that all the humangroups that inhabited the region adapted their technology and therefore their culture tothe local environment and to the knapping features of the raw material available, i.e. veinquartz.

New research, carried out in collaboration between Italian and foreign institutions, arebeginning this year. The main purpose is to identify Palaeolithic and Mesolithic occupationin the Piedmontese territory in order to define the modalities and the intensity of this cul‐tural adaptation, allowing an identification of the prehistoric settlement dynamics of thewhole region.



36

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the analysis of the chaînes opératoires of the lithicmaterial of two sites located in the Paraná River basin, in the Perdizes region, State ofMinas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. The area is dated of the Upper Precambrian, with occu‐rrences of Araxá Group rocks (Pea), near Bauru formation of the sedimentary Paraná RiverBasin. In the Inhazinha archaeological site, dated of 1095 ± 186 BP (TL‐FATEC), 220 lithicpieces (36 polished and 184 chipped) were collected. The raw material chose are of fourtypes (in descending order): quartz, sandstone, basalt and quartzite. In the RodriguesFurtado archaeological site, dated of 500 ± 50AP (TL‐FATEC) 397 lithic pieces (28 polishedand 369 chipped) were collected, made of four types of rocks (in descending order):quartz, sandstone, basalt and quartzite.

The comparative analysis of the chipped lithic industries of both sites shows that thereis much more similarities than differences between the artifact collections, where thetools were manufactured for momentary use and discarded at once (resourceful tools);just a few pieces presented post‐debitage transformative actions. The polished lithicindustries of both sites show a high level of polishing work, indicating that there was anintentional goal by the artisan to produce excellent quality tools with a high final touch.

Therefore, we will present comparative data of these industries produced by the cera‐mist groups of the studied region.

THE LITHIC MATERIAL OF THE INHAZINHA AND RODRIGUES FURTADO ARCHAEOLOGI‐CAL SITES, MUNICIPALITY OF PERDIZES/MG: AN ANALYSIS OF CULTURAL DYNAMICS

Presenters

‐ CABRAL DE MEDEIROS, Joao ([email protected])Centro de Arqueologia e Antropologia de Paulo Afonso/ Universidade Estadual da Bahia

‐ BELTRAO, M.C.M.C. ([email protected])Museu Nacional/UFRJ

‐ VERGNE M.C. ([email protected])UNEB, Brazil.

‐ PEREZ DA PAZ, R.A. ([email protected])Museu Nacional/UFRJ, Brazil

37



Abstract

Splintered pieces are often neglected in archaeological studies even though they areabundant in some archaeological contexts. The site of Vale Boi provides such context, withan abundance of these artifacts within the Upper Palaeolithic levels.

The site is located in the southwestern tip of Iberia and has a high level of stratigraphi‐cal and chronological preservation ranging from Early Upper Paleolithic to Neolithic levels,including Gravettian, Proto‐Solutrean, Solutrean and Magdalenian occupations. This pos‐ter presents the preliminary data from the technological analysis of splintered pieces fromone of the site's areas (the Slope), focusing on the comparison between chert and quartzfrom the Gravettian and Solutrean levels. For this study a total of 45 pieces were selectedfor analysis. The chert group is composed of a total of 26 pieces while the quartz group iscomposed of 19 examples. The two groups show some differences between them in arelatively large number of attributes. For example the number of damaged platforms inthe chert artifacts ranges from 2 to 4, while the quartz artifacts only show traces of 2damaged (bipolar) platforms.

The extension of the scars into the artifact are also divergent between the two mate‐rials, with most chert artifacts showing signs of invasive scaring (46,15%) while quartz arti‐facts show, in the same piece both marginal and invasive scars (52,63%). Splintered piecesare often linked to two types of activities: bipolar knapping (in the form of cores for theremoval of chips) and as wedge for the exploitation of several types of materials(i.e.antler, bone, wood, etc.). The artifacts analyzed for this study suggest that, despite someapparent differences between raw materials their use as wedges would have been the pri‐mary function of those tools during that time frame.

PRELIMINARY TECHNOLOGICAL COMPARISON BETWEEN CHERT AND QUARTZ SPLINTE‐RED PIECES FROM THE UPPER PALAEOLITHIC OF VALE BOI (SOUTHWESTERN IBERIA)

Presenters

1. ‐ HORTA, Pedro ([email protected])2. ‐ CASCALHEIRA, João ([email protected])3. ‐ MARREIROS, João ([email protected])4. ‐ BICHO, Nuno ([email protected])

1. Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal; 2‐4. ICArEHB Universidade do Algarve, Faro,Portugal



38

Abstract

The study of the Upper Palaeolithic of the southern Iberian Peninsula is often approa‐ched from a few stratigraphic sequences recognised in the region. We can say that theUpper Palaeolithic in Andalusia is one of the worst known stages of regional prehistory.On the other hand, its development has just passed the descriptive, typological, formalcharacterization. In some cases, the latest contributions in the central region of the BeticCordillera circumscribed to the province of Granada, were made during the past century.

In this sense, this paper has two aims. First, we present the rock shelter of Marchales(Colomera, Granada, Spain), as a new Magdalenian site from the mountainous area of theSubbetic Andalusia. Furthermore, by applying the diacritical analysis on cores, flakes andother lithic objects, we present the technological characterization of the different opera‐tions in blade production and lithic tools (burins, along with scrapers and to a lesser extentbacked elements). Different chaînes opératoires for the generation of all typological toolsare distinguished. The work presents and discusses the distinctive features of the differenttechnical elements, focusing on the blade knapping methods, with a petrological descrip‐tion of the main types of flint used. It also determines the knapping technique, which hasinvolved an experimental approach. It concludes with the definition of blade technologyat the first moments of the Magdalenian in the region.

CHAÎNES OPÉRATOIRES AND BLADE TECHNOLOGY FROM THE UPPER PALAEOLITHICSITE OF MARCHALES (GRANADA, SPAIN)

Presenters

‐ GARCÍA FRANCO, Alejandro ([email protected])‐ MORGADO, ANTONIO ([email protected])

University of Granada, Granada, Spain.

39



Abstract

The using of large flakes from giant cores as blanks for tool production is an outstan‐ding topic for contemporary archaeological studies across the globe, related to Acheulianassemblages. However, the production and use of very large flakes is registered in severalkinds of archaeological contexts around the globe. The present research concerns a casestudy from the southern part of South‐Central Andes. Specifically, it comprises a portionof the holocenic archaeological sequence from Antofagasta de la Sierra (Argentina). In thispaper we describe the giant artifacts of some quarries, rockshelters and open air residen‐tial archaeological sites together with their reduction sequence, from the nature andacquisition of the raw material, through the blank production and tool manufacture.

Very good quality raw materials are abundant in Antofagasta de la Sierra, basically vul‐canites, but giant cores are not ubiquitous because the size of clasts is mainly smaller at aregional level. Only three quarries have the suitable size of clasts to produce giant cores:QSZAC, POZAC and Los Negros quarry.

The production of large flakes appears twice in the archaeological sequence analyzed.First, as blanks used for bifaces as tools and cores and for lanceolate apedunculate andtriangular and lanceolate stemmed projectile point manufacturing from 7500 to 3000years BP. This moment is associated with fully mobile hunter‐gatherers and semi‐seden‐tary late hunter‐gatherers in transition to food production. Technical modes of tool pro‐duction involve mostly bifacial thinning.

GIANT CORES AND LARGE FLAKES IN THE HIGH ELEVATION DESERT OF SOUTHERNARGENTINE PUNA

Presenters

1. ‐ HOCSMAN, Salomón ([email protected])2. ‐ BOBILLO, Federico Miguel ([email protected])3. ‐ ESCOLA, Patricia Susana ([email protected])

1‐2. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales, San Miguel de Tucuman, Tucuman, Argentina;3. Escuela de Arqueología de San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca. Argentina

Documents

portada-sesión 03 - UB · 3 S3‐ Stone tool production and processing techniques 'On the Rocks' ‐ International Symposium on Knappable Materials / University of Barcelona / 7‐11