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Communication Dans Un Congrès Année : 2023

Small Flakes during the Late Lower Palaeolithic and the Onset of the Middle Palaeolithic: Case studies from Southern Europe and Levant

Résumé

The presence of small flakes and small tools in the archaeological record has been identified in various geographical contexts before the Upper Palaeolithic, taking its roots early within Lower Palaeolithic Lithic Techno-Complexes (LTCs). In most cases for these earliest time periods, microlithic flakes/tools are represented in low proportions within lithic assemblages. However, this phenomenon can sometimes represent a techno-cultural feature, as shown in Central Europe or in the case of the Asinipodian defined by François Bordes in Southwestern France. More generally speaking, there is a diachronic tendency towards an increase in small flake productions during the Middle Palaeolithic. This augmentation is mainly due to the development of ramification processes (even if the correlation between Cores-on-Flakes and size reduction cannot always be established) and to the development of specific flake, point and even bladelet productions. In this paper we will present the results of technological analysis of small tool productions in two different geographical area: Southern Europe and the Levant. The timeframe represented corresponds to the transition between late Lower Palaeolithic and the onset of the Middle Palaeolithic, when we can observe important changes within lithic technical systems. The techno-cultural trajectories through the Middle Palaeolithic are different in these two contexts, with different chronologies and sometimes unique LTCs corresponding to regional traditions. We will present here the technical choices made by prehistoric populations and the role and significance of small productions within the lithic assemblages, following examples from various contexts (site types, mineral environment, mobility systems etc.). This will allow us to discuss the different options chosen and their causes.
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Dates et versions

hal-04194501 , version 1 (12-09-2023)

Identifiants

  • HAL Id : hal-04194501 , version 1

Citer

Cyrielle Mathias. Small Flakes during the Late Lower Palaeolithic and the Onset of the Middle Palaeolithic: Case studies from Southern Europe and Levant. EAA Weaving Narratives, 2023, Belfast, United Kingdom. ⟨hal-04194501⟩
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