1,721,278 research outputs found
Lost in the mountains? The Cova del Sardo and the Neolithisation of the Southern Central Pyrenees (fifth-third mill. calBC)
No full textIn this paper, we present the results of the analysis of the Cova del Sardo flaked stone assemblage, a rock shelter located at 1.790 m a.s.l. in the Central Pyrenees. An integrated analysis of the lithic record, from a petrological, technological, and functional point of view, has been realised. The daily life activities carried out at the site have been reconstructed and a diachronic reading of the data has been finalised. An interpretation in terms of territorial and economic organisation of the prehistoric group is advanced. A mixed farming economy is suggested, even if herding and pasture exploitation could have locally played an important role. The analysis of lithic raw materials indicates that the groups followed a south-north mobility, as most of exploited cherts are from southern sources (Ebro valley and pre-Pyrenean ranges). Finally, the Cova del Sardo is discussed within a broader framework, taking into account the Neolithisation process of the Southern Central Pyrenees
Funcionalidad de los productos líticos. Elementos de proyectil
No full textEn este trabajo se ha realizado una selección, para su analisis, de los materiales elaborados en sílex que no se habían analizado en estudios precedentes de los autores. Los materiales en sílex de la Cueva Benzú suponen el 36,09% (249)
del total de los restos líticos del yacimiento (690), mientras la mayoría de ellos —435; 63,04%— son de areniscas. Según análisis realizados por otros investigadores, considerada la presencia de núcleos (11 en sílex y 15 en arenisca) y la gran cantidad de «desechos y esquirlas» (119 en sílex y 146 en arenisca), la talla
debió realizarse en el sitio (Vijande, 2010). Sin embargo, teniendo en cuenta la cantidad de restos líticos
en relación al pequeño tamaño de la cueva, los soportes retocados son únicamente 79 ejemplares. De ellos
48 manufacturados en sílex (19,3% de todos los restos de sílex) y 31 en areniscas (4,5% de los elementos
en arenisca). Esto indica una clara selección del sílex a la hora de confeccionar productos retocados.Peer reviewe
The management of lithic resources during the V millennium cal BC at Espluga de la Puyascada (La Fueva, Huesca)
No full textAlthough the archaeological site of Espluga de la Puyascada was only excavated during one campaign (1975), this cave might be considered one of the most significant sites in the pre-Pyrenean mountains of Huesca. The materials found in the survey excavation provide several information about the economy of the pastoral and agricultural groups living in the area during the V millennium calBc. the results of the analysis of the lithic assemblage, and its petrological, technological and functional characterisation, are presented in this paper. the data obtained indicates that the lithic implements were mainly constituted of blade blanks, which production was based on the procurement of raw materials in a regional context over a distance of about 80-90 kilometres. the lithic tools were used in productive processes associated with both the acquisition of food and the manufacture of other implements and goods
Insights into the economic organization of the first agro-pastoral communities of the NE of the Iberian Peninsula: A traceological analysis of the Cueva de Chaves flaked stone assemblage
No full textCueva de Chaves represents a paradigm of a fully Neolithic ex-novo occupation. However, despite its importance within the chrono-cultural framework of the Iberian Prehistory, there is a lack of empirical evidences about the site's economic organization. While the herding of domesticated animals has been well-documented, agricultural and crafting activities have not been fully characterized. In this paper, we advance a socioeconomic interpretation of the flaked stone assemblage to identify the production processes in which lithic tools were involved. The results of the traceological analysis indicate that both animal and vegetal resources were exploited; food and craft production activities, which could not otherwise have emerged from the archaeological record, have been recognized. A mixed farming economy was practised at Cueva de Chaves, the 'functional spectrum' of which can be compared to the one of other open-air stable settlements of the western Mediterranean
From the plains to the highest peaks: productive activities in three early Neolithic sites in the Central Pyrenees
No full textThe aim of this work is to advance a reconstruction of the productive activities that were carried out with the lithic tools recovered in three Early Neolithic sites (VI-V millennium calBC) located at different altitudes (1300-1800 m.a.s.l.) in the Central Spanish Pyrenees, between the Cinca and Noguera Ribagorçana rivers. Thestudy of the archaeological materials was based on an integrated approach that onsiders lithic resources as a part of an overall process of production; analyses have been made integrating different disciplines: provenance, technological and traceological analysis. Both local (1-10 km of distance) and exogenous (30-150 km) raw-materials have been identified, each one transformed and used on the basis of its technical proprieties and its accessibility. The traceological analysis evidenced the existence of diverse economic processes, both primary - associated to the main productive cycles - and secondary - scarcely structured, result of occasional or punctual activities. Our data contributed to the interpretation and the understanding of the analysed sites and of their functionality
Transport wear and its role in understanding prehistoric lithic raw materials management strategies
No full textMobility is a crucial feature of the territorial exploitation strategies of hunter-gatherer groups. Generally, in archaeological studies, the reconstruction of the displacements of humans carrying lithic artefacts and materials relies on identifying raw material outcrops or indirect evidence of transportation, i.e. inferences based on the absence of expected technological categories. On the other hand, some specific wear patterns can hint at the processes that artefacts underwent and stand for potential direct evidence of transport. In this paper, we combine the traceological evidence with lithic technology and refittings to present solid proof of the use of a specific bulk transportation mode in two Late Palaeolithic and Mesolithic sites of the southeastern Alps (Italy). We also present a detailed description of macro- and microscopic wear features that allow for the identification of this type of transport within a lithic assemblage and a comparison with the results of some experimental tests. By identifying which artefacts were transported and in which mode (e.g. as flaked blanks, as cores, etc.), it was possible to get a much deeper understanding of how the last Alpine hunter-gatherer groups managed the lithic resources and how they moved them within the landscape during their displacements. The use of this transportation mode seems consistent throughout time and widespread, at least in the Alpine area
Stone tool use and rejuvenation at the Late Palaeolithic site of TH.413 Wadi Ribkout, southern Oman
No full textThe intensification of archaeological investigation across South Arabia has brought forth countless new Prehistoric sites. The majority of the reported occurrences are lithic surface sites found near raw material outcrops, which is nearly everywhere in some parts of Arabia. Site preservation plays an essential role for surface scatters as it influences the quantity and quality of data acquired. Here we present the results of traceological and refitting analysis conducted on a sample from a surface scatter located in southern Oman, where a specific wood-working kit was used and abandoned. Different burins, mostly single burins on concave truncations, their manufacturing and resharpening waste were collected and subjected to analysis. The results of the traceological and technological study indicate that the burins have been used in carpentry activities and the configuration of the burins changed during their use cycle.Peer reviewe
Magdalenian lithic tools from El Horno Cave (Ramales de la Victoria, Cantabria): a use-wear analysis perspective
No full textClemente-Conte, Ignacio; Fano, Miguel Angel. "Magdalenian Lithic Tools from El Horno Cave (Ramales De La Victoria, Cantabria): A Use-Wear Analysis Perspective". En: Gibaja, Juan F.; Marreiros, Joao; Mazzucco, Niccolo & Clemente, Ignacio (eds.). Hunter-Gatherers' Tool-Kit: A Functional Perspective. Newcastle upon Tyne : Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2020, p. 28-48. ISBN 978-1-5275-4226-6.El Horno Clave is located in the middle River Asón valley (North Spain), at about 200 m above sea level and 20 km from the present coastline. A surface ara of 3.5 m2 was escavated there from 1999 to 2007. The intact part of the archaeological deposit (Levels 1, 2 and 3) yielded a series of remains which can be attributed to upper Magdalenian occupations. Fieldwork in 2000 and 2001 retrieved 1,724 lithics from
intact levels. A sample of 503 objects, including ali the retouched pieces and the larger waste products, has been considered for the functional analysis. Taphonomic alterations are common, above ali in Level 2, but a wide range of activities has been identified: hunting with projectiles, processing hides and hard animal matter, butchery, and tasks involving wood and hard mineral substances. The observations that have been made show different situations, at least in Levels 1 and 2. Lithics from the first
level seem to have been used mostly to obtain animal products (meat and skins), whereas in Level 2 the functional diversity is greater and tasks usually associated with stable settlements, like dry hide or leather processing, have been documented. Another interesting aspect of the assemblage from El Horno is related to the use-wear and probable residue corresponding to the hafting of the artefacts.The excavations in El Horno were funded by the Gouvernement of Cantabria and the Mirón Project. The present study received financial supportfrom the Human Sciences Department at the University of La RiojaPeer reviewe
Approaching surface treatment in prehistoric pottery: Exploring variability in tool traces on pottery surfaces through experimentation
Full text linkThe surface treatment of handmade pottery is often described in ceramological studies of prehistoric collections. However, beyond inferences about its meaning, few works have addressed this issue in depth. For this study, an experimental program has been carried out, where the main variable being explored was the category of tool involved in the fabrication of prehistoric handmade pottery. Therefore, we start from the hypothesis that different tools generate differentiable traces. A catalogue of traces generated by five pottery tools (pebble, flint spatula, pottery spatula, shell spatula and linen rag) was created, with the aim of characterizing and systematizing them. The resulting macroscopic analysis allowed a first qualitative classification of the traces. Microscopic analysis by confocal microscopy then confirmed the classification with quantitative data. The potential of the proposed methodology for traceological and textural analysis of surface treatment in ceramics is highlighted. Hence, the possibility of discriminating different surface treatment techniques opens new perspectives for the study of prehistoric pottery.The present study forms part of the research for a doctoral thesis that is still in course and receives funding from the programme Ayudas destinadas a universidades, centros de investigación y fundaciones hospitalarias para la contratación de personal investigador novel (FI 2017) of the AGAUR of Generalitat de Catalunya with European Social Funds. This grant is part of the Project Modelización de los espacios prehistóricos de montaña. Un siglo del patrimonio arqueológico y los territorios pastoriles (HAR2015-66780-P/IP: Ermengol Gassiot), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO), Gobierno de España. With the collaboration of the project Muntanyes humanes. Arqueología del pastoralisme i l'agricultura al Pirineu Occidental (CLT009/18/00032 Ajuts per a projectes quadriennals de recerca en matèria d'arqueologia i paleontología per al periode 2018–2021, Generalitat de Catalunya/IP: Ermengol Gassiot). The work of one of the authors (N.M.) was supported by a MSCA-IF grant, project QUANT (ID: 792544).Peer reviewe
Integrating traceology in the reconstruction of lithic raw materials management strategies: case studies from the north-eastern italian palaeo-mesolithic
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