3D Lithic Analysis
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Recent papers in 3D Lithic Analysis
A new core reduction index is presented, calculated as the ratio of flake scar number to 3D surface area (SDI). The index is tested experimentally on five types of core (blade, discoid, Levallois, biface and multiplatform cores) and then... more
A new core reduction index is presented, calculated as the ratio of flake scar number to 3D surface area (SDI). The index is tested experimentally on five types of core (blade, discoid, Levallois, biface and multiplatform cores) and then applied to the core assemblages from five sub-stages of the Middle Stone Age at Klasies River Mouth, South Africa. Preliminary results indicate that the SDI possesses the desirable attributes of a successful reduction index and is a significant improvement on traditional proxy measures of core reduction. The results of the archaeological case study confirm previous untested observations that cores from the Howiesons Poort and MSAIII sub-stages are more heavily reduced than preceding and following stages, and that local and exotic raw materials as well as different types of cores are all more heavily reduced during these periods. The SDI fills a significant lacuna in available core reduction measures.
The interpretation of handaxe shape is one of the most prominent questions in Acheulean archaeological studies. Nowhere is this question as sharply defined as in Britain, where there are a number of distinct handaxe shape types. Recently... more
The interpretation of handaxe shape is one of the most prominent questions in Acheulean archaeological studies. Nowhere is this question as sharply defined as in Britain, where there are a number of distinct handaxe shape types. Recently reduction intensity has come to the fore as an explanation for the creation of different biface shapes, however many Acheulean researchers do not see compelling evidence for differential reduction at their sites. In this study we report an experiment in which knappers, naïve as to the goal of the experiment, reduced handaxes according to different protocols. Changes in shape and flake scar density were recorded as reduction progressed. These trajectories of shape change are compared to those seen at five British Acheulean sites: Boxgrove, High Lodge, Hitchin, Swanscombe, and Broom. Our results show that although there is evidence for differential reduction intensity at these sites, this did not have a strong influence on shape. Reduction was never exhaustive, suggesting that the life history of these tools was short. Temporally and spatially variable traditions are a better fit for the observed patterns of shape variation.
Quantifying biface reduction is an important goal in Palaeolithic archaeology for determining the length of reduction sequences, and to contextualise interpretations of biface morphology. In particular there is contention as to whether or... more
Quantifying biface reduction is an important goal in Palaeolithic archaeology for determining the length of reduction
sequences, and to contextualise interpretations of biface morphology. In particular there is contention as to
whether or not Acheulean handaxeswere resharpened. Herewe test the flake scar density index (SDI), calculated
using 3D laser scans of bifaces, as a measure of handaxe reduction. We experimentally reduced an assemblage of
57 handaxes tracking changes in their SDI and mass lost at each stage of reduction.Wetested the effects of blank
type, coarseness of the stone, and different protocols for reduction. Our results show that the SDI is indeed an
effective measure of mass lost, although it is influenced by the blank type of the handaxe.
We applied the SDI to two archaeological assemblages of Acheulean bifaces from East Africa: Kariandusi and
Isenya; and two archaeological assemblages from India: Patpara and Bhimbetka. Exotic materials were more reduced
at Kariandusi and Isenya. A relationship between SDI and volume, such that smaller handaxes have higher
scar densities, and are thus likely small because they have been reduced more, suggests resharpening. Conversely,
the lack of such a relationship may be taken as evidence that bifaces were not resharpened. Our results show
that exotic handaxes from Kariandusi, local handaxes from Isenya, and bifaces in general from Patpara were
resharpened. On the other hand neither local handaxes from Kariandusi, cleavers from Isenya, nor cleavers
from Bhimbetka, were resharpened. The unretouched bit formed by the termination of the original flake blank
on the Isenya and Bhimbetka cleavers provides independent evidence for the lack of resharpening.
sequences, and to contextualise interpretations of biface morphology. In particular there is contention as to
whether or not Acheulean handaxeswere resharpened. Herewe test the flake scar density index (SDI), calculated
using 3D laser scans of bifaces, as a measure of handaxe reduction. We experimentally reduced an assemblage of
57 handaxes tracking changes in their SDI and mass lost at each stage of reduction.Wetested the effects of blank
type, coarseness of the stone, and different protocols for reduction. Our results show that the SDI is indeed an
effective measure of mass lost, although it is influenced by the blank type of the handaxe.
We applied the SDI to two archaeological assemblages of Acheulean bifaces from East Africa: Kariandusi and
Isenya; and two archaeological assemblages from India: Patpara and Bhimbetka. Exotic materials were more reduced
at Kariandusi and Isenya. A relationship between SDI and volume, such that smaller handaxes have higher
scar densities, and are thus likely small because they have been reduced more, suggests resharpening. Conversely,
the lack of such a relationship may be taken as evidence that bifaces were not resharpened. Our results show
that exotic handaxes from Kariandusi, local handaxes from Isenya, and bifaces in general from Patpara were
resharpened. On the other hand neither local handaxes from Kariandusi, cleavers from Isenya, nor cleavers
from Bhimbetka, were resharpened. The unretouched bit formed by the termination of the original flake blank
on the Isenya and Bhimbetka cleavers provides independent evidence for the lack of resharpening.
A methodology for identifying prehistoric local learning communities is proposed. We wish to test possible relationships among communities based on continuity and variability in lithic reduction sequence technological traits with... more
A methodology for identifying prehistoric local learning communities is proposed.
We wish to test possible relationships among communities based on continuity and
variability in lithic reduction sequence technological traits with different visibility and
malleability. Quantitative features reflecting different technological traits are measured
on 3-D models of flint cores in different scales: the ratio between core thickness and
reduction surface width, the angle between subsequent bands of production blank
scars to the relative striking platform, and the average curvature of the ridge between
each blank scar striking platform pair. Continuity and variability in these features are
used to establish the relations among lithic assemblages on different hierarchical
levels: local learning communities and geographically widespread cultural lineages.
The Late Upper Palaeolithic and the Epipalaeolithic of the Southern Levant (ca. 27,000–
15,000 cal BP) provide an opportunity to test our method. A progressive increase in
territoriality is hypothesized throughout this timespan, yet the precise timing and
modes of this phenomenon need to be defined. The present study analyzes six core
assemblages attributed to different cultural entities, representing chronologically
separated occupations of the Ein Gev area and the coastal Sharon Plain. Continuity in
technological traits between the Atlitian (ca. 27,000–26,000 cal BP) and Nizzanan (ca.
20,000–18,500 cal BP) occupations of the Ein Gev area suggests that the same learning
community repeatedly settled there during a long time span. Two geographically
separate learning communities were defined in the study areas within the Kebaran
cultural entity (ca. 24,000–18,000 cal BP); the group occupying the Ein Gev area
possibly continued to settle there during the Geometric Kebaran (ca. 18,000–15,000
cal BP). Continuity in more conservative traits of the reduction sequence allows to tie
these two communities to the same cultural lineage. The ability to track prehistoric
learning communities based on quantitative features helps increase the objectivity
and the resolution in the reconstruction of past cultural dynamics.
We wish to test possible relationships among communities based on continuity and
variability in lithic reduction sequence technological traits with different visibility and
malleability. Quantitative features reflecting different technological traits are measured
on 3-D models of flint cores in different scales: the ratio between core thickness and
reduction surface width, the angle between subsequent bands of production blank
scars to the relative striking platform, and the average curvature of the ridge between
each blank scar striking platform pair. Continuity and variability in these features are
used to establish the relations among lithic assemblages on different hierarchical
levels: local learning communities and geographically widespread cultural lineages.
The Late Upper Palaeolithic and the Epipalaeolithic of the Southern Levant (ca. 27,000–
15,000 cal BP) provide an opportunity to test our method. A progressive increase in
territoriality is hypothesized throughout this timespan, yet the precise timing and
modes of this phenomenon need to be defined. The present study analyzes six core
assemblages attributed to different cultural entities, representing chronologically
separated occupations of the Ein Gev area and the coastal Sharon Plain. Continuity in
technological traits between the Atlitian (ca. 27,000–26,000 cal BP) and Nizzanan (ca.
20,000–18,500 cal BP) occupations of the Ein Gev area suggests that the same learning
community repeatedly settled there during a long time span. Two geographically
separate learning communities were defined in the study areas within the Kebaran
cultural entity (ca. 24,000–18,000 cal BP); the group occupying the Ein Gev area
possibly continued to settle there during the Geometric Kebaran (ca. 18,000–15,000
cal BP). Continuity in more conservative traits of the reduction sequence allows to tie
these two communities to the same cultural lineage. The ability to track prehistoric
learning communities based on quantitative features helps increase the objectivity
and the resolution in the reconstruction of past cultural dynamics.
The evidence for Neanderthal lithic technology is reviewed and summarized for four caves on The Rock of Gibraltar: Vanguard, Beefsteak, Ibex and Gorham's. Some of the observed patterns in technology are statistically tested including raw... more
The evidence for Neanderthal lithic technology is reviewed and summarized for four caves on The Rock of Gibraltar: Vanguard, Beefsteak, Ibex and Gorham's. Some of the observed patterns in technology are statistically tested including raw material selection, platform preparation, and the use of formal and expedient technological schemas. The main parameters of technological variation are examined through detailed analysis of the Gibraltar cores and comparison with samples from the classic Mousterian sites of Le Moustier and Tabun C. The Gibraltar Mousterian, including the youngest assemblage from Layer IV of Gorham's Cave, spans the typical Middle Palaeolithic range of variation from radial Levallois to unidirectional and multi-platform flaking schemas, with characteristic emphasis on the former. A diachronic pattern of change in the Gorham's Cave sequence is documented, with the younger assemblages utilising more localized raw material and less formal flaking procedures. We attribute this change to a reduction in residential mobility as the climate deteriorated during Marine Isotope Stage 3 and the Neanderthal population contracted into a refugium.
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