Journal of Lithic Studies
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Linking Neolithic lakeshore settlements through raw material of siliceous artefacts
Full text linkThis paper presents the results of the provenience analysis of siliceous artefacts from Neolithic lakeshore settlements studied in the scope of the SNSF-project MET (“Mobilities, entanglements and transformations in Neolithic societies on the Swiss Plateau (3900-3500 BCE) supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (Project No 100011 156205). The aim of this paper is to compare the cultural entanglements as defined by the pottery studies with the regions of origins of the knappable siliceous sedimentary rocks (KSSR) raw materials. The analysed siliceous artefacts were found in cultural layers of wetland settlements in the Northern Alpine Foreland, most of which are dated dendrochronologically with extreme precision. The sources of the raw materials were determined by the identification of the sedimentary microfacies of the siliceous artefacts, which allows the accurate location of the exploited outcrops without destroying the artefacts. This enabled detailed insights into complex entanglements, ties and mobility patterns in the raw material procurement between settlement communities on the Swiss Plateau, southern Germany and eastern France. Furthermore, these results were compared visually with stylistic entanglements in the pottery of the 4th millennium BCE. As a first attempt in this direction, this paper shows the potential of studies on mobility patterns when different find categories are studied in combination regarding their raw materials but also their typology
Experimental flintknapping with sandstones and prospection of lithic raw material sources from Cabra Corral area, Salta, Argentina
Full text linkWithin the framework of the project named Technological Variability and Social Interaction Networks in Northwest Argentina through the study of lithic technology strategies throughout the Formative period (Mercuri 2012) we collected samples of lithic raw materials in different portions of Las Conchas- Guachipas river area (Salta, Argentina) in order to create a reference collection. With part of this material we performed experimental lithic flintknapping with the aim to observe fractures and other characteristics that allow determining flintknapping quality so that we can understand and give a first reading to the selection of raw materials for making artifacts using local rocks.We present the results of these experiments conducted on sandstone, as it was the predominant raw material in the archaeological record. First results allow us to affirm that sandstone, given the availability and quality for flintknapping tasks constitutes an optimal raw material for the production of artifacts. We also note that the obtained edges are suitable for cutting work and the notches recorded in the artifacts are due probably to the characteristics of rock fracture.En el marco del proyecto denominado Variabilidad Tecnológica y Redes de Interacción Social en el Noroeste Argentino a través del estudio de estrategias tecnológicas líticas durante el Período Formativo (Mercuri 2012) recolectamos muestras de materia prima lítica en diferentes sectores del área de la cuenca Las Conchas-Guachipas (Salta, Argentina) para generar una colección de referencia. Con parte de este material realizamos talla lítica experimental con el objetivo de observar fracturas y otras características que permitan determinar la calidad para la talla y para entender y dar una primera lectura a la selección de materias primas para la fabricación de artefactos en rocas locales.Presentamos los resultados de estos experimentos realizados en arenisca, ya que es la materia prima predominante en el registro arqueológico. Los primeros resultados nos permiten afirmar que la arenisca, dada la disponibilidad y calidad para la talla, constituye una materia prima óptima para la producción de artefactos. También observamos que los filos obtenidos son adecuados para el trabajo de corte y las muescas registradas en los artefactos se deben probablemente a las características de la fractura de roca.No âmbito do projecto denominado Tecnologia Variabilidade e Redes de Interação social em Northwest Argentina através do estudo de estratégias de tecnologia lítica durante o Período Formativo (Mercuri 2012) foram coletadas amostras de matéria-prima lítica em diferentes setores da área da bacia Las Conchas- Guachipas (Salta, Argentina) para gerar uma coleção de referência. Com parte deste material realizamos trabalho lítico experimental com o objetivo de observar fraturas e outras características que permitam determinar a qualidade do flintknapp e entender e dar uma primeira leitura para a selecao de materias-primas para a fabricacao de artefatos em rochas locais.Apresentamos os resultados destes experimentos realizados em arenito, já que é a matéria prima predominante no registro arqueológico. Os primeiros resultados nos permitem afirmar que o arenito, dada a disponibilidade e qualidade para flintknapp constitui uma ótima matéria-prima para a produção de artefatos. Observamos também que as arestas obtidas são adequadas para o trabalho de corte e os entalhes registrados nos artefatos são provavelmente devidos às características da fratura da rocha
Report: Pedagogy and skill acquisition in flint knapping
No full textThe recent application of a new pedagogical workflow for flint knapping training showcases the high degree of skill acquisition that can be reached in 10 hours of guided practice
Black adzes in the Early Neolithic of Belgium: Contribution of the Raman microspectrometry and petrography in characterization and sourcing
Full text linkEarly Neolithic (Linear Pottery Culture) adzes originate from settlements and workshops accompany the neolithization of Belgium. They are made from a wide range of extraregional lithic raw materials such as metamorphic green rocks (amphibolite) and black volcanic rocks (“basalt’) beside more local or regional raw material as flints, light-coloured (sedimentary and lightly metamorphic) quartzites, black lydites (Cambrian nodular phtanite of Céroux-Mousty and Lower Namurian banded phtanites) and dark grey Lower Namurian silicified sandstones previously called “Micaceous sandstones of Horion-Hozémont’. The discovery of the workshop of Noirfontaine near the city of Liège in the 1970s and 1980s provides exceptional assemblage available for updating analytical studies. This research focuses on the multi-scale characterization, the discrimination and sourcing both Cambrian and Namurian black sedimentary rocks rich in secondary silica composing Early Neolithic adzes found in Belgium. Their black colour results from finely dispersed organic matter, but the absence of palynomorphs does not allow a biostratigraphic ascription. Additional petrographical analyses (Optical Petrography, Scanning Electron Microscope), X-ray diffraction, chemical analyses (Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy) and measuring the degree of graphitization of the organic matter through Raman microspectrometry have been decisive in identifying the geological and geographical provenances by comparing the acquired results with geological reference samples collected in the field or through reference collections. Cambrian lydites are coming from a very restricted area and were preferred to other more local rock sources
Light in the cave: Opal coating detection by UV-light illumination and fluorescence in a rock art context
Full text linkThe formation of silica coatings on the cave walls of the Points cave raises questions about the analytical access to the specificities of the pictorial material (geochemistry and petrography); and about the state of conservation of the rock art. Conventional in situ spectroscopic techniques (pXRF, pRaman) are ineffective to identify and characterize these coatings. In this study, we propose to use a UV fluorescence method for the detection and recognition of opaline coatings, based on the fluorescence specificities of the uranyl-silica complexes composing these deposits. Spectral identification using UV laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with UV illumination was performed on samples, µ-samples and on the walls of the Grotte aux Points rock art site. The well-defined peaks observed in the fluorescence emission spectra due to uranyl ions validate the detection of the complex opal-uranyl and its correspondence with the green fluorescence observed under UV light at micro and macroscopic scales. In situ optical measurements under UV illumination reveal the presence of an opal layer, in particular on the rock art walls of the cave. Observations on the occurrence and distribution of opal provide the first insights into the evolution of the walls and the chronological constraints on the development of the opal layer. regarding the interactions between the silica coating and the pigment suggested by the multi-scale observations of the µ-samples, it opens the question of rock art conservation. Thus, by developing a specific method of non-destructive characterization of opal coatings, this study starts a new approach for the study of the taphonomy of decorated walls and proposes to use siliceous mineralization both as a marker of the natural history of caves and as an index of their use by ancient human groups
Evaluating rudimentary prehistoric stone artifacts from the American southwest and Mexico
Full text linkThe goals and background of this study are presented. A sample of rudimentary artifacts, recovered through survey and excavation from contexts in the American Southwest and southern Mexico, were physically examined to verify or reject their assumed validity as tools and their use in agricultural activities. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations were undertaken on these often overlooked and misidentified artifacts to ascertain evidence of human manufacture and use-wear. The results of the study indicate the specimens represent three general form categories of tools that have uses related to excavation and earth moving. To augment this evidence, information was gathered regarding find contexts, historic records, and from relevant literature. The geographic find locations and contexts of the artifacts, as well as their temporal placement, and likely group affiliations, are then discussed. Evidence indicates that, although probably used for other purposes, these minimally-retouched, hand-held, digging and earth moving tools were used in the preparation and maintenance of agricultural fields and irrigation canals, and functioned to support the subsistence system from ca. 400-1450 CE. These implements evidently also held social and ceremonial values and functions. The rudimentary nature of these tools is often found not to be commensurate with the sophisticated complexity of the associated agricultural infrastructure. Initial, very tentative, hypotheses are presented for this incongruity
Time, memory and alterity in prehistoric lithic technology: Synthesis and perspectives of the French technogenetic approach
Full text linkThe technogenetic approach in the field of prehistoric lithic technology studies originated in the late 1980s. Traditional approaches, such as typology and production technology, have tended to approach prehistoric lithic objects through their socio-cultural and economic dimensions, without really considering the existence of a technogenesis prior to these contingencies. The apprehension of this technogenetic dimension in prehistory will call upon both the philosophy and the anthropology of techniques to lead to a double approach of the artefacts: a technogenetic approach of the lithic object according to the technical criteria of its genesis; and a psychosocial approach of the object according to the criteria proper to its artisanal production within a major technical system. The objective of this article is to identify two fundamental existences constituting the technical object, one internal (technogenetic) with technical lineages and the other external (psychosocial) with technical trajectories. The spatio-temporal distribution of prehistoric technical otherness on different continents has logically led to new questions, findings and new criteria of analysis. On this basis, our approach will aim to revisit the main conceptual axes of the foundations of the technological approach, to clarify old questions while developing new expertise. Through the application of key concepts such as time, memory and otherness, an overall methodology will also be discussed and will help proposing its epistemological line
From bedrock to alluvium: Considerations on human-lithic resource interaction
Full text linkAlthough lithic raw material provenience studies in Hungarian archaeology have started in the late 1970s, little attention has been paid to the methods prehistoric people with which acquired these raw materials for tool production. With our palaeoethnological approach, we investigate the relationship between human groups and the world surrounding them, aiming to recognize which environmental factors played a role in their lithic raw material economy and tool production. Prehistoric people weighed a range of such factors against each other when deciding about the utilization of a lithic raw material source. The occurrence-source-archaeological site (OSA) model presented in our article helps to describe the interaction between siliceous rock resources and humans. Any place where stone suitable for knapping can be found is considered to be an occurrence. If the lithic raw material from an occurrence is found in the archaeological material, we call it a source, as it was utilized by humans. All places where remains of human activity are found are usually considered archaeological sites. Siliceous rock occurrences are considered raw material sources with a long history prior to human interaction, travelling from the original bedrock to alluvial deposits, due to the geologic-geomorphologic processes of formation, transformation, and transport. The characteristics, of these occurrences, including location, determine not only the distance of transportation but also the quality and condition of the blocks available. Based on these assumptions our research has two aims: to locate lithic raw material occurrences available for prehistoric people and to recognize their decisions about extraction. For the first one, we mapped occurrences of several siliceous rocks in the region. To reconstruct lithic raw material utilization and preferences, we conducted a techno-economic analysis. We studied two areas and their characteristic lithic raw materials in northern Hungary: limnosilicite from the foothills of the Mátra mountain range (Mátraalja), and Buda hornstone or chert from the Buda Hills.
The utilization of both materials is documented at archaeological sites of several prehistoric periods. Both rocks occur in the study areas at several locations that can be considered prehistoric extraction sites. According to Turq’s source area typology, allochthonous sources are not present, but primary and secondary autochthonous as well as sub-allochthonous types have been identified in both areas. However, the exploitation of primary autochthonous limnosilicites could not be demonstrated in the Mátraalja. At the moment, the exploitation of secondary autochthonous and sub-allochthonous sources can be hypothesized for all concerned prehistoric periods
Report: Rock mortars of Sar Pol-e Zahab in their archaeological contexts: Evidence of third and second millennium BCE nomad camp sites in western foothills of Zagros Mountain, Iran
Full text linkDuring the 2016 archaeological survey in the Sar Pol-e Zahab region, in the border zone between Mesopotamia lowland and Iranian highland, a number of rock mortars were discovered on the edges of seven ancient sites. Owing to its climate and topography and its winter pastures, this region has long been favoured by nomads, and numerous remains of nomadic activities survive. The sites in question are small settlements that have been attributed to nomadic occupation owing to their small area, thin occupational deposits and extremely limited finds. Most of these sites are located near water sources such as springs and rivers. Furthermore, the associated cultural materials are not of high quality. This is in stark contrast to the settlements of farmers and sedentary settlers in the central range and western foothills of the Zagros, the remains of which formed relatively large mounds with complex stratigraphy representing extended occupations accompanied by cultural materials showing a higher degree of workmanship and artistry. In many cases, these characteristics are enough to distinguish the settlements of sedentary farmers from those of herdsmen and nomads. It appears that the nomads of the region, particularly in the third-second millennium BCE and in the Parthian period, used these permanently located rock mortars to grind grains and cereals during their seasonal occupation of these sites. These mortars are not out of context, they are related to the ancient settlements on whose periphery they are found
La fonction des petits outils sur éclat en Europe au Pléistocène moyen : le cas de Marathousa 1 (Megalopolis, Grèce)
No full textSmall flake industries are a commonly identified component of Lower Paleolithic archaeological assemblages in Eurasia. Utilized as blanks for tools, at many sites, their functions are often poorly understood. Here we present a preliminary traceological analysis of lithics from Marathousa 1 (MAR-1; Megalopolis, Greece). MAR-1 dates to ca. 400-500 ka BP and is one of the oldest open-air sites in South-Eastern Europe. It has yielded a lithic assemblage made almost exclusively of small-sized flakes found in direct association with diverse megafauna including elephants, hippo and deer.
For this preliminary study, a total of 223 artifacts were sampled for a taphonomical analysis and 13 for a functional analysis. The lithic artifacts from MAR-1 are exceptionally well-preserved and are only slightly affected by chemical alterations. They are therefore ideal for a techno-morpho-functional analysis. Use-wear traces confirm on-site butchery. Our results also confirm that plants were worked at the site, whereas technological traces, rarely observed on lithics from this age, can also be seen on a number of specimens. Whereas both retouched and unretouched tools contribute significantly to the MAR-1 toolkit, shapes are varied, and at this phase of the study do not appear morphologically or technologically standardized. However, backing (natural or retouched) opposite to a sharp edge can be observed on numerous specimens. When compared to the sparse functional data available on small tools from Lower Paleolithic Europe and the Levant, small flake tools include a wide variety of techno-functional types. To fully begin to understand this diversity, lithic toolkits must be considered in relation to the rest of the assemblage and the accompanying contextual data, including information from technological, archaeozoological, and palaeoenvironmental datasets.Les petits outils sur éclat sont présents dans de nombreuses industries européennes mais demeurent mal appréhendés (Rocca et al. 2016). Définie sur des critères typologiques (denticulés, grattoirs, pièces à dos) et dimensionnels (environ 20-40 mm ; Burdukiewicz & Ronen 2003 ; Rocca 2013 : 236-251), cette catégorie d’outil a été créée en opposition aux plus gros outils, comme les pièces bifaciales. Le terme de petit cache toute une variété de comportements techno-économiques englobant, entre autres, de multiples méthodes de production (alterne, multidirectionnel ou discoïde) ou de supports d’outil (nucléus, outils, éclats ou débris ; Tourloukis et al. 2018b). Les petits éclats ne sont spécifiques ni à une région ni à contexte et l’origine de ces séries est encore débattue. La question se pose de savoir si elles sont liées à leur ancienneté, à des activités spécifiques ou encore à une préservation différentielle des sites où les petits éclats sont parfois conservés tandis qu’ils auraient disparu dans d’autres contextes.
Pour améliorer notre compréhension de ces artefacts, nous proposons de nous intéresser à leur fonction à travers une analyse techno-morpho-fonctionnelle (Boëda 1997 ; Lepot 1993) et tracéologique (Semenov 1964). Cette approche combinée permet de documenter la chaîne opératoire lithique depuis la production des outils jusqu’à leur utilisation en passant par l’analyse de leur morphologie finale avant leur abandon (Guibert-Cardin et al. sous presse). Elle offre l’opportunité de définir si les outils étaient multifonctionnels ou destinés à une utilisation précise, si leur mode d’utilisation était complémentaire ou similaire à celui des plus grands outils ou permet de documenter leur mode de préhension. Pour aborder ces questions, les séries lithiques se doivent d’être bien conservées et issues de sites bien datés et ayant fait l’objet d’analyses pluridisciplinaires.
Ici, nous présentons les résultats de l’analyse tracéologique préliminaire de l’industrie lithique de Marathousa 1 (MAR-1 ; Megalopolis, Grèce). Le site se situe dans le bassin de Megalopolis qui a périodiquement accueilli un ancien lac (Panagopoulou et al. 2018). Attribué au Stade Isotopique Marin 12 (ca. 400-500 ka BP ; Tourloukis et al. 2018a), MAR-1 est le plus ancien site de plein-air du sud-est de l’Europe. Les vestiges, rapidement enfouis, sont préservés dans une matrice à grain fin et ont subi des remaniements mineurs (Karkanas et al. 2018). La fouille est divisée en deux aires. L’aire A a révélé le squelette presque complet et en connexion anatomique approximative d’un éléphant (Konidaris et al. 2018). Il porte des traces de découpe et est associé à une faible densité de vestiges lithiques. L’aire B présente une quantité plus élevée d’artefacts lithiques ainsi que des ossements de différentes espèces, attestant de modifications d’origine anthropique. La série lithique de MAR-1 contient 2 058 artefacts, produits à partir de différentes matières premières (radiolarite, silex, calcaire et quartz) collectées à proximité du site. L’industrie révèle des supports d’outil variés et se compose de nucléus et de petits éclats. Le dos, fréquent dans la structure des artefacts, semble occuper une place importante dans la production des supports d’outil et est généralement opposé à un bord fin.
Pour cette analyse préliminaire, nous avons étudié 223 artefacts pour une analyse taphonomique et 13 pour une analyse fonctionnelle. Les pièces présentent un état de conservation exceptionnel. Les altérations sont principalement d’origine chimique. Quelques altérations d’origine mécanique confirment que les artefacts ont subi de légers mouvements après leur abandon. Les premiers résultats fonctionnels documentent des activités de boucherie ainsi que l’exploitation de végétaux. Les activités réalisées étaient donc plus variées que ce qui était initialement envisagé : Marathousa 1 n’est pas seulement un site de boucherie. En outre, plusieurs pièces portent des traces technologiques ce qui est rarement mis en évidence sur des artefacts aussi anciens. Il ne semble pas exister de lien entre le support d’outil, le type de tranchant et l’activité réalisée. Les artefacts avec des traces d’utilisation sont des petits éclats bruts ou retouchés, non standardisés et il semblerait que leur sélection soit dictée par la présence d’un dos, avec un potentiel préhensif, opposé à un bord coupant.
Ces premiers résultats tracéologiques sur les artefacts de MAR-1 sont en accord avec les rares données fonctionnelles disponibles sur les petits outils sur éclat au Paléolithique inférieur en Eurasie. Ces outils sont principalement utilisés dans le cadre d’activité de boucherie et dans une moindre mesure pour l’exploitation de végétaux (Lemorini 2018 ; Venditti 2019 : 153-154). Les petits outils sur éclat semblent donc être utilisés pour des activités variées (Aureli et al. 2016 ; Lemorini 2018). Aucune trace de préhension n’a été observée au sein de l’échantillon de MAR-1. Cependant, la présence d’un dos ou d’un bord non tranchant associé au bord actif, ainsi que l’absence de standardisation des outils, suggèrent une utilisation à mains nues plutôt qu’un emmanchement. Les expérimentations menées avec des petits outils sur éclat attestent que la présence d’un dos opposé à un bord fin fournit une bonne prise en main de l’outil et permet d’appliquer force et précision lors de l’utilisation (Chazan 2013 ; Jones 1980 ; Starkovich et al. 2021).
La poursuite de l’analyse combinée techno-morpho-fonctionnelle et tracéologique de l’industrie lithique de MAR-1 permettra de documenter plus précisément les activités réalisées sur place et de mieux appréhender la structure des outils et leurs modes de fonctionnement. Cette étude contribue à enrichir les rares données fonctionnelles disponibles sur les petits outils sur éclat et plus généralement sur les outils du Pléistocène moyen. Elle s’inscrit dans le renouveau des connaissances sur la période visant à mieux caractériser la diversité des productions lithiques