Journal of Lithic Studies
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Flint artefacts from the Wielbark culture cemetery at Weklice, Site 7, Elbląg county
Get PDFIn the Bronze Age flint was still being used throughout Europe. In the early periods of that age flint continued to play an important role in the economy in many areas, as evidenced by the numerous flint mines in use at the time as well as flint tools. In the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages, flint still had an important place in the economies of communities living in East Central Europe. At the same time, analysis of late flint industries suggests that some of those had no utilitarian significance. The presence of flint, especially in inhumation graves from the cemetery at Weklice (used by communities of the Wielbark culture during the Roman Period) potentially adds to the debate about its significance. The cemetery at Weklice is the one of the best-known sites from the Roman Period in Poland. The graves are mostly equipped with local finds of metals: gold, silver, copper alloys, iron and amber as well as Roman imports (glass beads, vessels: glass, copper alloys). The collections comprise over of 4000 finds, however this number may change, as excavations in 2012 and 2013 revealed 22 flint artefacts. The presence of flint materials in a Roman Period cemetery admits several possible interpretations: 1) Those may be remnants of older settlements, with graves being dug into older strata and thus some of the specimens of flint could be in their secondary filling on the site; 2) Those may be remains of flint knapping activity by the Wielbark culture community; 3) Those may have been placed in the graves deliberately by the Wielbark culture community as an instance of an older custom involving the placing of flint in graves
Raw material sources of knapped stone tools from the excavation of the Early Bronze Age site at Toumba Thessaloniki, Greece
Get PDFThis study investigates the origin of the lithic findings from the prehistoric site at Toumba, Thessaloniki in Greece, during the Early Bronze Age (EBA). The artefacts from the excavation were studied in order to compare the raw materials utilized for the manufacture of these tools with the geological occurrences of the corresponding materials in the broader region. This research provides evidence for the provenance of these materials and consequently some insight into the socioeconomic system of the settlement. For this reason, samples of siliceous sediments were chosen from regions with similar geological formations, such as Vasilika and Galatista. Apart from macroscopic examination, both archaeological and petrographic, microscopic examination was also applied in order to identify the microstructure and the mineralogical context, and finally geochemical study by ICP-MS analysis and XRF spectrometry for determining the major, trace and rare earth element concentrations. The comparison of these features with the archaeological features reveals that during the Early Bronze Age there was possibly a relation between Toumba inhabitants and the regions of Vasilika and Galatista for the procurement of chert. The petrographic examination of the lithic findings shows whether the tools are manufactured in the settlement or if there is an import of tools from other sites
The Monegros-type chert: Petrographic characterization and prehistoric use
Get PDFIn recent years, allusions to exploitation of a so-called “Monegros-type” chert have been a commonplace in archaeological literature, mostly in Iberia but also in southern France. It has been also a routine that these references did not include a true petrographic characterization, being mere de visu descriptions of those products.This work presents, for the first time, macro and microscopic characterizations of some of the most outstanding chert outcrops located in the Middle Ebro Basin. There, tertiary limestone sediments that form the top part of the flat plateau reliefs hold great quantities of chert nodules. The noteworthy erosive processes that have affected this area have facilitated the gathering of those cherts: they are easy to find either in their original location, still embedded in the limestone layers, or in secondary position along the enormous glacis that connect those flat reliefs to the river terraces. Two main flint varieties have been defined: Monegros and Evaporitic of Ebro. Both were originated in continental lacustrine environments. They are fine-grained and offer excellent knapping possibilities; hence its common use since prehistoric times to recent semi-industrial exploitations related to 18th century gunflint productions.This paper offers a preliminary study that will be developed in a forthcoming PhD dissertation, but we also include examples of its prehistoric exploitation in the Ebro Basin and abroad
Technology and function of grooved abraders in the early Neolithic of northwestern Europe
Get PDFFound sporadically in late Palaeolithic and Mesolithic contexts, grooved abraders are among the most common tools found in Linear Pottery and Villeneuve-Saint-Germain settlements in north-western Europe (5,100-4,700 BCE). This paper presents an overview of the technical and functional characteristics of these tools in early Neolithic domestic contexts. Despite different blank morphologies and sizes, these tools tend to be relatively small in size and are generally not shaped. They are characterized by the use of a very specific raw material: low cohesive and generally ferruginous sandstones, chosen because their abrasiveness is enhanced through use. A classification of the different types of grooves is proposed, based on their shape, depth, section and localization. These characteristics are combined with use-wear analysis in order to propose a number of functional interpretations. Far from the widespread hypothesis that these tools functioned as shaft straighteners, we argue on the basis of the use-wear analysis and archaeological associations of items that these tools were primarily involved in the manufacture of bone and lithic tools, as well as of schist and limestone personal ornaments. They are evidence of the generalization and diversification of polishing and abrading techniques in the technical system of the first Neolithic populations. As such, they contribute to defining a whole new technical paradigm and are an essential element in any definition of the Neolithic
Mining for a week or for centuries: Variable aims of flint extraction sites in the Mons Basin (Province of Hainaut, Belgium) within the lithic economy of the Neolithic
Get PDFThe Mons Basin (Province of Hainaut, western Belgium) is a geologically rich region, particularly from the point of view of Upper Cretaceous sedimentary deposits, conducive to an important flint gathering activity during the whole regional Prehistory. Focusing on the Neolithic period, indications of flint procurement as early as the end of the 6th millennium have been recorded, but there are concrete evidences of mining sites in the region since the second half of the 5th millennium. Flint extraction activities have lasted at least until the second half of the 3rd millennium. According to literature and recent researches, eleven sites could be extraction sites, including the World Heritage site of Spiennes. This paper critically assesses the accuracy of the data available and focuses on the issue of the unequal function of these extraction sites and their socio-economic function for Neolithic communities. Is it really possible to establish a hierarchy between the extraction sites? Can different acquisition-production strategies be highlighted? These questions are dealt with by synthesizing the data concerning the methods of flint exploitation in the Mons Basin, the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the products relative to the production intentions but also by addressing the issue of their importance in exchange networks
Book review: Paleoamerican Odyssey
Get PDFPaleoamerican Odyssey collects 31 papers originally presented at the 2013 Conference by the same name. The book, which provides an up-to-date view of current discussions concerning the initial American peopling, compiles models, reviews of evidence and detailed analyses of sites and archaeological remains. It is organized in five sections. Here, only some chapters will be addressed
La explotación de la obsidiana en la Meseta Central de Santa Cruz, Argentina. Resultados de La María y Cerro Tres Tetas en perspectiva regional
No full textLa María and Cerro Tres Tetas archaeological localities are located in the Central Plateau, in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentine Patagonia. This area presents abundant lithic raw materials of very good quality for knapping including flint, chalcedony and silicified wood. These raw materials were used by the inhabitants of the region since the end of the Pleistocene until recent historical times. Besides, we have recorded the exploitation of exotic stones in low proportions at the archaeological sites. Among these, the most abundant is obsidian which probably comes from sources located more than125 kmaway. In this context, the use of this type of raw material should be evaluated in terms of social and symbolic issues.In this paper, we examine the strategies of acquisition and reduction of the obsidian found at the archaeological sites Cerro Tres Tetas 1, Casa del Minero 1, Cueva de La Ventana, La Mesada and Cueva Túnel. We carry out a technomorphological analysis of the obsidian remains from these sites.Results from this work strengthen the idea that the groups which lived in the Central Plateau knew about and exploited an obsidian source known as Pampa del Asador. A raise in the use of this raw material throughout time is recorded, reaching its peak in the late Holocene. We identified two different moments in the exploitation of obsidian at the regional level. During the final Pleistocene and early Holocene, obsidian would not have played a relevant role in the organization of technology. Production sequences indicate that tools probably were entered to the sites already manufactured. During the middle and late Holocene nodules and cores could have been brought into the sites. The strategies involved in their reduction are in broad terms similar to those implemented with local raw materials; there is no evidence that obsidian had more value in any way. On the other hand, it is also not possible to state that there was just an eventual exploitation of this raw material. We believe that obsidian was acquired during mobility circuits which enabled the contact between different groups.Las localidades arqueológicas La María y Cerro Tres Tetas se ubican en la Meseta Central de Santa Cruz, Patagonia Argentina. El sector mencionado presenta abundancia de materias primas de muy buena calidad para la talla como sílex, calcedonia y xilópalo. Estas rocas fueron empleadas comúnmente por los habitantes de la región desde fines del Pleistoceno hasta momentos históricos recientes. Además, en los sitios arqueológicos hemos registrado la explotación de rocas alóctonas en menor proporción. Entre ellas, domina la obsidiana que proviene de fuentes situadas a más de 125 km de distancia. En este contexto, el uso de esta materia prima debe ser evaluado en términos de aspectos sociales y simbólicos.En este artículo, examinamos las estrategias de abastecimiento y explotación de la obsidiana recuperada en los sitios Cerro Tres Tetas 1, Casa del Minero 1, Cueva de La Ventana, La Mesada y Cueva Túnel. En este sentido llevamos a cabo el análisis tecnomorfológico de los artefactos de obsidiana de estos sitios. Los resultados alcanzados refuerzan la idea del conocimiento y explotación de la obsidiana de Pampa del Asador. Se ha registrado un aumento en la explotación de la obsidiana a través del tiempo, con un incremento importante hacia el Holoceno tardío. Se han identificado dos grandes momentos en la explotación de esta roca a nivel regional. Durante el Pleistoceno final y el Holoceno temprano, la obsidiana no habría jugado un rol relevante en la organización tecnológica. Por su parte las secuencias de producción se caracterizan probablemente por el ingreso a los sitios de los artefactos ya manufacturados. Durante el Holoceno medio y tardío se habrían ingresado nódulos y núcleos. Para este momento las estrategias involucradas en su manufactura concuerdan a grandes rasgos con las implementadas para las materias primas locales y no exponen elementos que permitan postular la mayor valorización de la obsidiana. Por otra parte tampoco es posible asociar la gestión de esta roca a una estrategia de explotación eventual. Consideramos que las sociedades habrían tenido acceso a la misma en el marco de circuitos de movilidad y contactos intergrupales
A few good blades: An experimental test on the productivity of blade cores from the Casa Montero Early Neolithic flint mine (Madrid, Spain)
Get PDFCasa Montero flint mine (5337-5218 cal. BCE) was a production centre of blades that were probably distributed in a broad regional framework. Recent research on its lithic record has provided a method for the calculus of productivity for the blade cores based on the striking platform potential area. Taking into account several factors involved when discarding a blade for use it, the resulting ratio of useful blades per core was smaller than expected in contrast with the high number of cores abandoned in the site.Shape, size and quality variability of raw material increased the difficulty of that approach. The blade reduction at Casa Montero was determined by the raw material variability within a core, the occurrence of raw material defects and knapping accidents and the presence of knappers with different skill levels. Most of the cores were discarded at different moments of the reduction process and only 40.5% reached the production of blades. The estimation results show a ratio of 3 to 20 blades per core. Nevertheless, an estimated amount of ~251,000 adequate blades were produced and potentially used in a time span of just a hundred years and in a context of very low population density as the Central Iberian Peninsula in Early Neolithic was.In order to contrast the core productivity estimation method, an experimental test was carried out. This paper focuses on the results of this test, applying and adjusting the initial method
Introducing LIR (Lithotheque Ireland), a reference collection of flaked stone tool raw materials from Ireland
Get PDFThe LIR (Lithotheque Ireland) reference collection of flaked stone tool raw materials from Ireland began in 2013, and is based on the geological prospection from two projects. The first (2013-2015) focused attention primarily on Carboniferous cherts from the northwest of Ireland, collecting 405 samples. The second (2015-2017) is currently collecting samples of the Cretaceous flint primarily from in situ contexts in the northeast of Ireland, but also includes beach surveys of Cretaceous flint from around the island; the first phase of geological prospection in Autumn 2015 collected 239 samples, with the geological prospection continuing in 2016. Therefore, to date the collection contains over 600 hand samples of chert and flint, along with a small number of other materials (siliceous limestone, tuff, mudstone). The physical reference collection is housed at the UCD School of Archaeology, University College Dublin and contains the geological hand samples along with the various thin sections of the samples that are used for petrographic analysis. The physical collection is complemented by an online database that is to be used alongside the physical collection, or can be used as a stand-alone resource. This paper provides an overview of the database’s metadata and the processes of data entry and editing, to serve as a reference point for the database and the fieldwork undertaken to date, and to serve as a template for other researchers undertaking similar work on lithic reference collections
Event review: International Knapping Workshop, with Bruce Bradley, Fazenda Monte Alto, Dourado, SP (Brazil)
Get PDFThe event took place from 3 till 8 July 2016 at Fazenda Monte Alto, Dourado, SP, Brazil. The aim of the course was to provide intensive knapping training in order to enhance analytical methods and procedures. This training was not only for students, but also professionals who were interested in the course. The course was given by Bruce Bradley (University of Exeter), who has extensive experience with Stone Age technologies and experimental archaeology. Mercedes Okumura (PPGArq, National Museum, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro) and Astolfo G. M. Araujo (Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, University of São Paulo) organized the course, which was sponsored by Fazenda Monte Alto, Café Helena, and the British Academy, Newton Mobility Grants Scheme (NG140077). The workshop had 15 participants from Brazil, Uruguay, the Netherlands and Canada