Journal of Lithic Studies
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A utilização do percutor em pedra branda na debitagem lamelar durante o Magdalenense na Estremadura portuguesa
Get PDFThe development of experimental flint knapping programs allowed for the identification of stigmas related to the use of soft hammerstone percussion. Pelegrin (2000) explored the limits and constraints of the use of this type of percussion and since the first publication of these distinctive stigmas this technique was identified in assemblages from different chronologies in Europe and the Near East. The random identification of stigmata evoking the use of soft hammerstone in the lithic collection of layer 3 of Lapa dos Coelhos led to a systematic registration of certain attributes during the study of other Magdalenian collections of Portuguese Estremadura (Abrigo 1 de Vale de Covões, Cabeço de Porto Marinho). A total of 1303 pieces (complete or proximal fragments) was studied. In terms of methodology, theoretical data and confrontation with experimental knapped series supported our analyses and therefore we systematically recorded the following attributes: butt type (cortical, flat, dihedral, faceted, microfaced, linear, punctiform, crushed and retouched), presence of lip, traces of abrasion (slight or marked), presence of cracking in the percussion cone, existence of fine concentric wrinkles from the percussion bulb and presence of an irregular butt line. The analysis and quantification of these percussion stigmas allowed us to identify a significant number of pieces with evidence of soft hammer (organic and mineral) for bladelet production: the percentage of abrasion (slight or marked) and lip is 40%. In variable proportions, but always present, we identified diagnostic stigmas associated with the use of soft hammerstone percussion: cracking of the percussion cone, scabbing of the bulb, irregular butt line and fine and concentric wrinkles from the percussion cone. According to Pelegrin (2000) the occurrence of these stigmas is reduced (in the order of 20%) and variable. We conclude that the recurrent association of distinctive characters suggests that the use of soft hammerstone would have been significant. The absence of data from other chronologies doesn’t allow for an effective comparison of the Upper Palaeolithic sequence: In the sample observed, however, the use of a soft hammerstone seems to have increased during Final Magdalenian. What advantage in the use of a soft hammerstone justifies an increase of its use during the final Magdalenense? According to Pelegrin (2000) there are no advantages compared to the use of an organic hammer: technical execution is no longer easy, abrasion is almost mandatory, therefore it is necessary to prepare the volume prior to debitage. In this case, could there be any economic motivation? The lithological environment of Estremadura makes it easy to obtain hammers of limestone, flint, or thick sandstone. On the other hand, we know that during the Tardiglacial there was a reduction in the catch and consumption of medium and large animals and an increase in the consumption of small animals (Bicho et al. 2000; Bicho et al. 2011; Davis 2002; Gameiro et al. 2017). Could this explain the difficulty in obtaining, and use as a hammer, cervid rods, for example? Pelegrin (2000) hypothesized an eventual relationship with alterations in hunting strategies: during the Tardiglacial the weapons are equipped with lithic tips, causing a need to produce more lithic barbs. Throughout the Tardiglacial, in Portuguese Estremadura we know that, not only increases the typological diversity, but also the amount of armatures (Zilhão 1997; Bicho 1997; 2000; Gameiro 2012). It seems plausible, but impossible to demonstrate, that these economic data are linked to the preferential choice of a type of hammer. The fortuitous and expeditious use of a natural resource easily accessible may have motivated and conditioned a cultural option. Although the evidence presented is still scarce these data should be considered because it is essential for the reconstitution of the spectrum of technical choices made in the past.O desenvolvimento de programas direccionados de talhe experimental em sílex permitiu identificar os estigmas relacionados com a utilização de percutores em pedra branda. Pelegrin (2000) explorou os limites e constrangimentos da utilização deste tipo de percutores e desde a publicação dos critérios distintivos, que permitem reconhecer esta técnica no material arqueológico, ela foi identificada em vários sítios e em diferentes cronologias na Europa e no Próximo Oriente. A identificação fortuita de estigmas evocativos da utilização de percutores em pedra branda na colecção lítica da camada 3 da Lapa dos Coelhos motivou um registo sistemático, desses atributos, durante o estudo de outras colecções magdalenenses da Estremadura portuguesa. Foram observados e registados os seguintes atributos: tipo de talão (cortical, liso, diedro, facetado, microfacetado, linear, punctiforme, esmagado e retocado), presença de labiado, vestígios de abrasão (ligeira ou marcada), presença de esquirolamento do bolbo, presença de fissuração do cone de percussão, existência de rugas finas concêntricas a partir do bolbo de percussão e presença de linha do talão irregular. A análise e quantificação destes estigmas de percussão permitiu identificar um número significativo de peças com evidência de debitagem por percutor brando (orgânico e mineral) mas a associação recorrente de caracteres distintivos leva a crer que a utilização de percutores em pedra branda terá sido significativa. Não dispomos de dados para uma comparação efectiva de toda a sequência regional do Paleolítico Superior, contudo, na amostra observada a utilização de um percutor de pedra branda parece ter aumentado a partir do Magdalenense final. Apesar de preliminares estes dados devem ser tidos em conta, uma vez que, esta informação é fundamental para a reconstituição das escolhas técnicas efectuadas no passado
L’évolution du débitage d’éclats au Néolithique ancien et Moyen I en Haute-Normandie
Get PDFFor many decades, a number of sites from the Early Neolithic (Villeneuve-Saint-Germain) and Middle Neolithic (Cerny and northern Chasséen) periods have been discovered in Upper Normandy. Three of them have been recently excavated and the subject of technological descriptions (Aubevoye “La Chartreuse”, Saint-Pierre-d’Autils “Le Plaquis” and Porte-Joie “La Couture aux Rois, zone C”). The lithic assemblages of these periods are sometimes distinguished by the production of regular and long blades by indirect percussion while the rest of assemblages are characterized by a domestic laminar production and flake débitage. These productions were initially and often described as expedient or opportunistic. This contribution tries to put forward new characters to specify the evolution of this débitage, its objectives of production and the transformation of the products. Thus, based on the study of 8 sites from Upper Normandy dated to Blicquy-Villeneuve-Saint-Germain and Cerny, the authors describe the main characteristics of the flake débitage identified in Upper Normandy. For this production, the first observation is the exploitation of raw materials of poor quality often located nearby. Some sites demonstrate the exploitation of freeze cracked blocks although flint of much better quality was accessible. Others are characterized by a strong use of fragments. There is a non-rigorous selection of blocks and many methods of débitage - unipolar, multidirectional and bipolar - which is rather basic and certainly not standardized. Volume shaping process indicators are totally absent or difficult to identify. The method is to open a unique platform. Then, each angle is exploited until the required number of flakes is obtained or until the full exploitation of the core. The specificities of the flake production (lack of standardization, technical errors, lack of maintenance of volumes, etc.), as well as their unattractive and unsuccessful aspects, made us reflect on the techniques that were used.
The hypothesis of a flint hammerstone is here proposed and validated by experimentation. At the studied sites, the disfigured appearance of the cores, the recurrence of percussion marks on the cores and the cassons (shattered fragments), the lack of standardization of the fragments and the degraded appearance of the butts constitute for the authors the main indications of this technique.
The authors also underline an opportunistic selection of tool blanks - morphometric variability of the modules – and an adaptation of the retouching blanks into the type of tool.
The tools are retouched in large majority from fragments without any standardization. The domestic tools assemblage includes a dozen categories which correspond to the tool types already well known for the Early and Middle Neolithic.
Some could be assigned at the chrono-cultural characterization of Early Neolithic - offset burin (burin décalé) and Kombewa flake with semi-abrupt “raclette” retouch - and of the Middle Neolithic - increased fluting and backed retouch pieces. These tools sometimes make use of singular technical processes - the offset burin for example. The production of flakes observed at the sites of the Early and Middle Neolithic of Upper Normandy thus refers to a simple "techno-economic system" with productions from small flakes.
However, the authors point out the objectives of this production by the search for raw sharp edges, curved parts, angles of attack necessary for all daily activities and the transformation of required materials.Depuis plusieurs décennies, de nombreux sites attribuables au Néolithique ancien (culture du Villeneuve-Saint-Germain) et moyen (Cerny et Chasséen septentrional) ont été mis au jour en Haute-Normandie. Plus récemment trois d’entre eux, Aubevoye « La Chartreuse », Saint-Pierre-d’Autils « Le Plaquis » et Porte-Joie « La Couture aux Rois, zone C » ont fait notamment l’objet de descriptions technologiques. Si les séries lithiques de cette période se distinguent quelquefois par la production de belles et grandes lames par percussion indirecte, le reste de l’industrie se caractérise par une production laminaire domestique et un débitage d’éclats initialement et souvent décrit comme une production expédiente ou opportuniste. Cette contribution tente de mettre en avant de nouveaux caractères permettant de préciser l’évolution de ce débitage, les objectifs de production et la transformation des produits qui en sont issus. Ainsi, et à partir de l’étude de 8 sites hauts-normands datés du Blicquy-Villeneuve-Saint-Germain et du Cerny, les auteurs décrivent les principales caractéristiques du débitage d’éclats identifié en Haute-Normandie. Pour cette production, le premier constat est l’exploitation locale de matières premières de mauvaise qualité situées à proximité souvent immédiate des sites. Les modalités de débitage sont multiples (unipolaire, multidirectionnel et bipolaire) mais plutôt élémentaires et certainement pas standardisées. L’ensemble se double d’une quasi absence de mise en forme et de l’utilisation systématique de percuteur en silex pour le débitage et la retouche. Les auteurs soulignent également une sélection opportuniste des supports d’outils (variabilité morphométriques des modules), une adaptation du support de la retouche au type d’outil et l’utilisation de procédés techniques de retouche parfois singulier (burin décalé)
Industrie néolithique de longues lames en obsidienne, l’exemple d’Aknashen-Khatunarkh (Arménie, début du VIe millénaire) : sur la piste des premiers débitages par pression
Get PDFAknashen (formerly called Khatunarkh) is a small Neolithic village of the Ararat valley located 25 kilometres away from Yerevan (capital of Armenia) and 5 km South-West of Echmiadzin (Vagharshapat). Aknashen is also located at only six kilometres of another Neolithic village which is contemporary: Aratashen, a site for which we recently published a technological study of the obsidian industry. Excavations have been taking place each year since 2004 at Aknashen. Concerning the lithic material, we identified two main chaînes opératoires on obsidian (which is an abundant raw material in this region): one concerns expedient tools made on flakes and the other one relates to long regular blades. This article will concentrate on this long blade industry obtained by three techniques: standing up pressure with a crutch, pressure with a lever and indirect percussion. Otherwise, the link between the application of these techniques and the complete chaîne opératoire of these blades is difficult to figure since elements are missing and we do not know for sure if, for example, the blades knapped by standing up pressure with a crutch were obtained after the progressive reduction of the cores knapped first using indirect percussion and then pressure with a lever. But even if we still don’t understand various elements, such as the exact place (workshop) where knapping activities took place at the site, even if various “debitage” products have been found, at least this constitutes a proof that part of this chaîne opératoire was performed at the site. Furthermore, a systematic study of this material makes it possible to recognize the techniques used, but also to observe the great level of know-how of the specialists who carried out this work. Generally, standing up pressure with a crutch and indirect percussion, are two techniques used in order to obtain long regular blades, and these are better known (documented) than pressure with a lever, even if the latter has been identified in several cultures from the Neolithic, Chalcolithic and sometimes even during Early Bronze Age periods, nonetheless it has been the object of fewer studies of this kind. However, the identification of this high level of skill is important for many reasons, of course first from a pure technological point of view, but the presence of the technique of pressure with a lever on a given site can also constitute an excellent cultural marker in order to characterize cultures that are involved with it and also to help documenting more adequately exchanges (trade networks) that have been made and possible movements or contacts between populations (transmission of knowledge). In this article, a description of diagnostic specimens linked to each technique will be done and this material will be looked from a broader point of view (history of techniques and know-how) in order to have better knowledge of this culture and its possible origins (origin of this Neolithic still not precisely defined). As this research is still relatively new, many aspects are still to be confirmed and this work will carry on in the years to come.Aknashen (autrefois appelé Khatunakh) est un petit village néolithique de la vallée de l’Ararat localisé à 25 km de Erevan (capitale de l’Arménie) et à 5 km au sud-ouest d’Echmiadzin (Vagharshapat). Aknashen est également situé à seulement six kilomètres d’un autre village néolithique qui lui est contemporain : Aratashen, site pour lequel nous avons récemment publié une étude tehnologique du matériel lithique en obsidienne.
Des fouilles ont eu lieu chaque année à Aknashen depuis 2004. En ce qui concerne le matériel lithique, ces travaux ont permis de mettre au jour deux chaînes opératoires principales de matériel en obsidienne (matière très abondante dans cette région) : l’une est peu élaborée sur éclats (expedient tools) et l’autre concerne la confection de longues lames régulières selon plusieurs techniques de débitage. Le présent article portera sur l’industrie laminaire de longues lames régulières obtenues par différentes techniques : pression debout à la béquille, pression au levier et percussion indirecte. La ou les chaînes opératoires qui concernent ces artefacts ne peuvent être reconstituées en entier puisque des éléments manquent et nous ne pouvons pas savoir de façon absolue si par exemple les fines lames débitées par pression à la béquille ont été obtenues après le débitage et la réduction progressive de nucléus d’abord taillés par percussion indirecte, puis par pression au levier. Mais même si divers facteurs nous échappent, dont aussi notamment les lieux exacts où s’est déroulé le débitage, même si la présence d’une panoplie de produits de débitage laisse présumer que le tout se soit déployé en tout ou en partie sur le site, une étude attentive de ce matériel a permis de diagnostiquer les techniques utilisées, mais aussi d’observer le grand niveau de savoir-faire des spécialistes qui ont effectués ce travail de pointe. De façon générale, la pression à la béquille, ainsi que la percussion indirecte, sont les deux techniques d’obtention de longues lames les mieux connues, alors que la pression au levier, même si identifiées dans plusieurs cultures du Néolithique à l’Âge du bronze a fait l’objet de peu d’études de ce genre jusqu’ici. Non seulement ce savoir-faire de haut niveau gagne-t-il à être connu d’un point de vue technologique, mais la reconnaissance du débitage par pression au levier, peut justement constituer un marqueur culturel précieux pour en arriver à caractériser des cultures, des échanges et éventuellement des mouvements ou contacts entre populations.
Dans le cadre de cet article, les principaux spécimens liés à l’identification de chaque technique seront présentés, décrits et commentés et ce matériel sera replacé dans une perspective plus large pour la compréhension de cette culture et de ses origines, autant d’un point de vue de l’histoire des techniques et des savoir-faire que pour la connaissance des origines de ce Néolithique encore mal connu. Comme ces recherches sont encore relativement jeunes, bien des aspects sont encore à confirmer et ceci fait partie de travaux qui se poursuivront dans les années à venir
Lipid residues preserved in sheltered bedrock features at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, New Mexico
Get PDF[Research Article]Bedrock features represent various economic, social, and symbolic aspects of past societies, but have historically received little study, particularly in North America. Fortunately, new techniques for analyzing spatial configurations, use-wear, and organic residues are beginning to unlock more of the interpretive potential of these features. Though preliminary in nature, the present study contributes to this trend by documenting an application of lipid analysis to bedrock features in a dry rockshelter. Results of this initial application indicate that bedrock features in dry rockshelters may provide especially favorable conditions for the preservation and interpretation of ancient organic residues. Abundant lipids, comparable to concentrations present in some pottery sherds, were extracted from a bedrock grinding surface at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Though the lipids were highly oxidized, degradation products indicative of former unsaturated fatty acids were retained. Comparisons to experimentally aged residues, and absence of a known biomarker for maize, indicate that the bulk of the lipids preserved in the milling surface probably derive from processing an oily nut or seed resource, and not from processing maize. Substantially lower amounts of lipids were recovered from a small, blackened cupule. It is hypothesized that some portion of the lipids in the blackened cupule was deposited from condensed smoke of cooking and heating fires in the caves. Potential for the preservation of organic residues in similar sheltered bedrock contexts is discussed, and a practical method for sampling bedrock features in the field is described
Bilingual Research Article Template (Primary = Portuguese)
No full textMS Word template file for articles with bilingual titles and captions, and an extended abstract in the second language.This template can be used for the following types of articles.Research articlesResearch articles should present original research on completed projects or significant discoveries and must present clear conclusions.Word limit: 6000 wordsShort reportsShort reports should present project descriptions. They may be either general reports on completed projects or significant updates for on-going projects. They do not necessarily need to present conclusions or conclusions could be preliminary.Word limit: 1000 wordsMethodology demonstrationsThese articles should explain a new or modified methodology tested by the authors. Authors are encouraged to use a variety of media types (e.g. video, screen shot images, 3D images) in addition to a short written text. Methodology demonstrations do not necessarily need to present conclusions but opinions on the method including its benefits as well as short-comings should be discussed.Word limit: 2000 words Summary, synthesis, and annotated bibliography articlesThese articles present an overview of a particular topic or sub-field with a connection to lithics research. This may be lithics research in a particular country or region. It may also be a historical overview of a topic (e.g. historical perspective of a prehistoric technology, or historical overview of a particular theory), or it may be a summary of knowledge about a lithic material itself or a scientific method. In general, these articles should include an overview of the history of the topic (e.g. history of lithics research in the region) as well as an overview of the current research being done on the topic. They should contain a large bibliography so that readers can use the articles as a starting point for finding references. The author should indicate recommended references.Recommended word limit: 4000 words. General descriptionThe following are the general modifications for bilingual Portuguese articles. In addition to being in Portuguese, the other main difference from regular articles is that there is an extended abstract in English (in addition to the regular abstract in Portuguese) which is longer than normal. The extended abstracts help readers determine the content of the article if they have limited Portuguese reading skills and thereby encourage the dissemination of the research internationally.Bilingual articles:1. Articles have an extended abstract English (see below).2. The title is translated into English.3. Keywords are in both languages.4. If the institution of the authors has an official English name, this can be used along with the English title and abstract.5. Figure and table captions appear in both Portuguese and English. Figures which contain text which would be different in English (e.g. place names or object labels) will have either an explanation or translation in the English caption, or will provide a glossary at the end of the article. Alternatively, text on the figure may be in both languages if it does not detract from the image.6. As in regular articles, bibliographic references which are not in English will include a translation of the title into English. They may also have a second translation of the title into Portuguese. Additionally, references which are in English will include a translation of the title into Portuguese.Extended abstracts:7. 500-1000 words.8. Follow the same format as the article but have no headings.9. Must mention methodology, overview of results, and conclusions.10. Appear at the end of the article (along with the English title and keywords)
Bilingual Research Article Template (Primary = Spanish)
No full textMS Word template file for articles with bilingual titles and captions, and an extended abstract in the second language.This template can be used for the following types of articles.Research articlesResearch articles should present original research on completed projects or significant discoveries and must present clear conclusions.Word limit: 6000 wordsShort reportsShort reports should present project descriptions. They may be either general reports on completed projects or significant updates for on-going projects. They do not necessarily need to present conclusions or conclusions could be preliminary.Word limit: 1000 wordsMethodology demonstrationsThese articles should explain a new or modified methodology tested by the authors. Authors are encouraged to use a variety of media types (e.g. video, screen shot images, 3D images) in addition to a short written text. Methodology demonstrations do not necessarily need to present conclusions but opinions on the method including its benefits as well as short-comings should be discussed.Word limit: 2000 words Summary, synthesis, and annotated bibliography articlesThese articles present an overview of a particular topic or sub-field with a connection to lithics research. This may be lithics research in a particular country or region. It may also be a historical overview of a topic (e.g. historical perspective of a prehistoric technology, or historical overview of a particular theory), or it may be a summary of knowledge about a lithic material itself or a scientific method. In general, these articles should include an overview of the history of the topic (e.g. history of lithics research in the region) as well as an overview of the current research being done on the topic. They should contain a large bibliography so that readers can use the articles as a starting point for finding references. The author should indicate recommended references.Recommended word limit: 4000 words. General descriptionThe following are the general modifications for bilingual Spanish articles. In addition to being in Spanish, the other main difference from regular articles is that there is an extended abstract in English (in addition to the regular abstract in Spanish) which is longer than normal. The extended abstracts help readers determine the content of the article if they have limited Spanish reading skills and thereby encourage the dissemination of the research internationally.Bilingual articles:1. Articles have an extended abstract English (see below).2. The title is translated into English.3. Keywords are in both languages.4. If the institution of the authors has an official English name, this can be used along with the English title and abstract.5. Figure and table captions appear in both Spanish and English. Figures which contain text which would be different in English (e.g. place names or object labels) will have either an explanation or translation in the English caption, or will provide a glossary at the end of the article. Alternatively, text on the figure may be in both languages if it does not detract from the image.6. As in regular articles, bibliographic references which are not in English will include a translation of the title into English. They may also have a second translation of the title into Spanish. Additionally, references which are in English will include a translation of the title into Spanish.Extended abstracts:7. 500-1000 words.8. Follow the same format as the article but have no headings.9. Must mention methodology, overview of results, and conclusions.10. Appear at the end of the article (along with the English title and keywords)
Exchange networks from close-up: The case of Lipari obsidian
Get PDFA systematic study on obsidian tools in Calabria and Sicily carried out by the authors have revealed the uniqueness in the patterns of production, exchange and consumption of Lipari obsidian. The study has concentrated on the Middle Neolithic primarily, with other Neolithic and Bronze Age contexts recognised at a later stage in the research since many contexts, especially in Sicily, have been excavated by pioneering archaeologists, some over a century ago, or were mislabelled. The chronology is Early Neolithic to Early Bronze Age, with very few materials dating Middle Bronze Age. A review of chronological contexts is in progress, which spans from the 6th millennium BC to the end of the 2nd millennium BC. The typology of obsidian tools is very homogenous, the vast majority of used tools are small blades, bladelets and sharp flakes; there is negligible variance across time; and Lipari obsidian is preferred over other sources. The patterns of the exchanges are also unique, revealing two major types of redistribution of obsidian, one particularly intriguing because it is quite organized with a single source in Lipari, prominent and reminiscent for its stability and reach of Bronze Age redistribution dynamics associated with hierarchical societies. We present here some observations on patterns substantiated by the archaeological record, and consider possible scenarios that can explain them. This work provides an update on progressing research and reveals aspects that will need further investigation, focusing on the patterns identified so far and possible explanations. More work is certainly needed to produce a working model, but the unusual patterns deserve some attention on their own, unencumbered by an overarching explanatory model. In particular, we want to assess the Neolithic redistribution pattern suggestive as typical of hierarchical polities, and contextualize it to the specific situation of Neolithic Lipari
A grid-like incised pattern inside a Natufian bedrock mortar, Raqefet Cave, Israel
Get PDF[Report]Bedrock features are a hallmark of the Natufian (ca. 15,000-11,500 cal BP) in the southern Levant and beyond and they include a large variety of types, from deep variants to shallow ones and from narrow mortars to wide basins. They are usually interpreted as food preparation facilities, associated with Natufian intensification of cereal and acorn consumption. However, inside the shaft of one deep narrow Natufian mortar at the entrance to Raqefet Cave (Mt. Carmel, Israel), we found a set of grid-like incisions accompanied by irregular lines. This pattern is similar in the general impression and the details of execution to incised stone slabs and objects found in other Natufian sites. As in several other Natufian objects, the incised patterns were hardly visible at the time, due to their light appearance and concealed location. The engraving act and symbolic meaning of the contents were likely more important than the display of the results. Furthermore, the Raqefet mortar was incorporated in a structured complex that also included a slab pavement and a boulder mortar. Thus, the complex motif, the specific feature it was carved on (inside a deep mortar), the associated features, and the location at the entrance to a burial cave all suggest an elaborate ceremonial and symbolic system
The organization of basanite bifacial production at Giv’at Kipod Quarry, Israel: Towards an ‘Alyawara Day’ model of extraction
Get PDFHunter gatherers as well as farmers used a variety of lithic raw materials to shape their world, in which some were perceived as having symbolic or mythical content. While the anthropological literature demonstrates that the extraction of raw materials of special significance was often performed differently from that of other more \u27ordinary\u27 raw materials, identifying this in the archaeological record is difficult. In this paper we wish to shed new light on this topic using the Late Neolithic-Early Chalcolithic basanite bifacial tool production site of Giv‛at Kipod, Israel. In the southern Levant basalt axes and adzes have long been understood to embody greater symbolic content than the flint axes and adzes that dominate the Neolithic and Chalcolithic bifacial assemblages. By comparing the results from our excavations at the site of Giv‛at Kipod to other production and extraction sites we exhibit how the organization of production was different than that related to the more common flint extraction in the region. While at most production and extractions sites the manufacture of various types of items is documented and the presence of tools, especially ad hoc tools, indicates that a variety of activities were performed at the locale of extraction, in the case of Giv‛at Kipod the production was focused solely on the manufacture of bifacials with a marked lack of evidence of other significant activities. We attempt to provide guidelines to characterize different exploitation patterns between raw materials of varied social significance using these differences
Grooved stone tools from Calabria region (Italy): Archaeological evidence and research perspectives
Get PDFSince the end of the 19th century the Calabria region in southern Italy has been known for an abundance of grooved stone axes and hammers used during late prehistory. These artefacts are characterized by a wide and often pronounced groove in the middle of the implement, thought to have aided securing the head to a wooden haft. Their widespread presence is known both in prehistoric archaeological literature and in the archaeological collections of various regional and extra-regional museums. At first, scholars did not relate these tools to the rich Calabrian ore deposits and to possible ancient mining activities; they were regarded simply as a variant of ground lithic industry of Neolithic tradition. However, between 1997 and 2012, about 50 tools were discovered in the prehistoric mine of Grotta della Monaca in northern Calabria where there are outcrops of copper and iron ore. This allowed us to recognize their specific mining value and to consider them as a sort of “guide fossil” for the identification of ancient mining districts. This paper presents the results of a study involving over 150 tools from the entire region, effectively demonstrating an almost perfect co-occurrence of grooved axes and hammers with areas rich in mineral resources, especially metalliferous ores