Category Archives: 2009 # 1

2009 # 1

2009-10–SIMONET

A gravettian knapping workshop
at Tercis (Landes):

a Probable Case of Apprenticeship
in the Fabrication of Lithic Weapon Tips

Aurélien SIMONET

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Abstract

The site of Tercis, in the Adour Basin, contains several distinct artefact concentrations. It consists of a vast openair knapping workshop where the production of lithic weapon tips in Tercis flint was a significant activity. Some of the lithic concentrations can be attributed to the Gravettian culture. However, the degree of technical investment varies from assemblage to assemblage, contrasting this probable cultural unity. This paper presents a study of the apprenticeship process revealed by these assemblages in order to stress the high degree of technical investment devoted to projectile tips, and consequently, their significant role in the evolution of lithic production systems.

To cite this article

Simonet A., 2009 – A Gravettian Knapping Workshop at Tercis (Landes): a Probable Case of Apprenticeship in the Fabrication of Lithic Weapon Tips, in Pétillon J.-M., Dias-Meirinho M.-H., Cattelain P., Honegger M., Normand C., Valdeyron N., Projectile Weapon Elements from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Neolithic, Proceedings of session C83, XVth UISPP World Congress, Lisbon, September 4-9, 2006, P@lethnology, 1, 183-210.
2009 # 1

2009-11–LANGLAIS

Chronology and territories in the Magdalenian
between the Rhône and Ebro rivers:

the Exemple of Lithics Points

Mathieu LANGLAIS

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Abstract

The most recent research on Magdalenian lithic and bone projectiles allows us to make comparisons between large territories and in this way to confront the regional typological synthesis on which our thinking is based. A comparative study of several lithic assemblages between the Rhone and the Ebro Rivers, and the definition of standard point manufacturing technologies raise many questions concerning the identity of the Late Glacial (Tardiglacial) Magdalenian. This study is part of a doctoral thesis being currently being realized in collaboration with the universities of Toulouse-Le Mirail (TRACES) and Barcelona (SERP). In this article, we present our first results as food for thought in the characterization of the Magdalenian in Southern France and Northern Spain. Recognized over a large territory, the Lower Magdalenian is very different from the Magdalenian of later phases (Middle and Upper Magdalenian) due to the existence of large backed bladelets and micro-bladelets, sometimes associated with shouldered points on blades. The later Magdalenian is characterized by specific lithic point morphotypes. By integrating this data with the raw material circulation, we raise the question of the chronological, territorial and techno-economical identities of the Magdalenian between the Rhone and Ebro Rivers.

To cite this article

Langlais M., 2009 – Chronology and Territories in the Magdalenian between the Rhône and Ebro rivers: the Exemple of Lithics Points, in Pétillon J.-M., Dias-Meirinho M.-H., Cattelain P., Honegger M., Normand C., Valdeyron N., Projectile Weapon Elements from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Neolithic, Proceedings of session C83, XVth UISPP World Congress, Lisbon, September 4-9, 2006, P@lethnology, 1, 211-240.
2009 # 1

2009-12-NAUDINOT

Lithic weapon elements in Western France
(Brittany and Pays de la Loire)
during the late glacial period:

a Proposed Chrono-cultural Organization and Reduction Sequence

Nicolas NAUDINOT

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Abstract

In recent years, new data on the Late Glacial period in western France have allowed us to develop a model of chronocultural evolution based on comparative lithic technology and lithic hunting weapon elements. This period can be divided in to four main phases: Early Azilian, Late Azilian, Final Azilian and Auvours-type industries. Though it presents some particularities, the western Late Glacial appears very similar to that which is well documented neighbouring regions. After a succinct presentation of these cultures, this article will focus on the lithic reduction sequences for the fabrication of weapon elements in order to identify and explain possible variations in the treatment of projectile points between the groups studied. This heterogeneity appears to be linked to a difference in approaches to raw materials and volumetric conceptions between the Late Azilian and Auvours-type industries rather than to a change in the status of weapon elements, which remain central to the production objectives.

To cite this article

Naudinot N., 2009 – Lithic Weapon Elements in Western France (Brittany and Pays de la Loire) during the Late Glacial Period: a Proposed Chrono-cultural Organization and Reduction Sequence, in Pétillon J.-M., Dias-Meirinho M.-H., Cattelain P., Honegger M., Normand C., Valdeyron N., Projectile Weapon Elements from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Neolithic, Proceedings of session C83, XVth UISPP World Congress, Lisbon, September 4-9, 2006, P@lethnology, 1, 241-268.
2009 # 1

2009-13–VALDEYRON-ET-ALII

The evolution of stone weapon elements
and cultural dynamics during the Mesolithic
in Southwestern France:

the Case of the Haut Quercy (Lot, France)

Nicolas VALDEYRON, Bruno BOSC-ZANARDO, Thomas BRIAND

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Abstract

Following a recent quantitative and qualitative renewal of archaeological research in the Quercy, this region has become particularly favourable for analyses of the cultural dynamics of Mesolithic societies in southwestern France. These dynamics, principally associated with the evolution of projectile points, are most clearly manifest in the appearance of broad weapon elements (trapeze microliths and other evolved points) at the beginning of the seventh millennium cal BC. Through still poorly understood scenarios, these pieces replace narrow weapon elements (geometric or not). We have developed a research program concerning several thousands of objects recovered at five recently or currently excavated sites in order to obtain a better understanding of these evolutionary processes and to attempt to determine their modalities, rhythms and signification. In this paper, we present the current state of this work and the results obtained for the earliest phases of the Mesolithic.

To cite this article

Valdeyron N., Bosc-Zanardo B., Briand T., 2009 – The Evolution of Stone Weapon Elements and Cultural Dynamics during the Mesolithic in Southwestern France: the Case of the Haut Quercy (Lot, France), in Pétillon J.-M., Dias-Meirinho M.-H., Cattelain P., Honegger M., Normand C., Valdeyron N., Projectile Weapon Elements from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Neolithic, Proceedings of session C83, XVth UISPP World Congress, Lisbon, September 4-9, 2006, P@lethnology, 1, 269-286.
2009 # 1

2009-14–HAUZEUR-LÖHR

Arrowhead lateralization:

Recent Data from the Mosel Region
in the Context of the North-West Linear Pottery Culture

Anne HAUZEUR, Hartwig LÖHR

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Abstract

Several recent excavations of sites attributed to the Linear Pottery Culture (LPC) in the middle Mosel region have considerably increased the number of assemblages available for study. Typological and morphological analyses of arrowheads have been conducted with special attention to their significant role in cultural identities. In this context, the Mosel Valley is located in a geographic zone that links economic and cultural traditions.

The assemblages analyzed are clearly dominated by symmetric arrowheads over asymmetric ones; they perfectly follow a decreasing gradient of symmetric arrowheads, observable on the margins of the Danube towards the Rhine-Meuse territories. The tendency observed for asymmetric arrowheads is variable according to the sites, with a majority of left lateralized pieces. Considering these two associated characteristics, the Mosel assemblages are closer to southern LPC groups than they are to those of the North-West LPC.

From a wider geological and chronological perspective, there is no simple or unique explanation for the lateralization of arrowheads. New data on the La Hoguette and Limburg Pottery, as well as the LPC in the Mosel region, illustrate the interpenetration of economic and ideological contacts into a traditional Mesolithic and Neolithic base.

To cite this article

Hauzeur A., Löhr H., 2009 – Arrowhead Lateralization: Recent Data from the Mosel Region in the Context of the North-West Linear Pottery Culture, in Pétillon J.-M., Dias-Meirinho M.-H., Cattelain P., Honegger M., Normand C., Valdeyron N., Projectile Weapon Elements from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Neolithic, Proceedings of session C83, XVth UISPP World Congress, Lisbon, September 4-9, 2006, P@lethnology, 1, 287-308.
2009 # 1

2009-15–STRATOULI-METAXAS

Projectile tips from neolithic layers
of Drakaina cave on Kephalonia,
Ionan island, w. Greece:

Technological “Conservatism” and Social Identity

Georgia STRATOULI, Odysseas METAXAS

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Abstract

Drakaina Cave on the cliffs of the steep gorge of Poros in the SE part of Kephalonia Island in the Ionian Sea, Western Greece, has yielded a distinctively large projectile tips assemblage (c. 200 specimens). This consists mainly of asymmetrical points, manufactured throughout the neolithic use of the cave (i.e. from mid 6th to the early 4th millennium), as well as of transverse arrowheads, whose use is restricted to the early phases of the cave’s occupation (in the early second half of the 6th millennium), and of tanged or tanged and barbed points, which appear in the site up to the early 5th millennium. Thus, a technological and typological ‘conservatism’ characterizes the assemblage in terms of manufacturing asymmetrical projectile tips using local raw materials over a period of approximately 1000 years, while tanged, as well as tanged and barbed points, made also of local cherts, appear late in Drakaina. This pattern contradicts to developments in typology and technology of projectiles that are well known since the beginning of the Late Neolithic (c. 5300 cal BC) in other parts of the Aegean Neolithic. The paper discusses patterns of morphological and technological variability of the projectiles deposited through time at Drakaina, their raw material exploitation and their life cycle, aiming at approaching functional aspects of the assemblage and understanding facets of the social behavior of site users. In the light of a contextual interpretation, it is proposed that the projectile points of Drakaina were associated with social events taking place periodically on the site.

To cite this article

Stratouli G., Metaxas O., 2009 – Projectile Tips from Neolithic Layers of Drakaina Cave on Kephalonia, Ionan island, w. Greece: Technological “Conservatism” and Social Identity, in Pétillon J.-M., Dias-Meirinho M.-H., Cattelain P., Honegger M., Normand C., Valdeyron N., Projectile Weapon Elements from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Neolithic, Proceedings of session C83, XVth UISPP World Congress, Lisbon, September 4-9, 2006, P@lethnology, 1, 309-327.
2009 # 1

2009-16–FERNÁNDEZ-LÓPEZ-DE-PABLO-ET-ALII

Geometric weapon elements during the Neolithic
in the Eastern Iberian Peninsula:

Typological, Technological and Functional Aspects

Javier FERNÁNDEZ LÓPEZ DE PABLO,
Juan Francisco GIBAJA BAO, Antoni PALOMO

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Abstract

In this paper, we present a global view of the principal traits of the evolution of Neolithic geometric microliths in Eastern Spain (principally in Catalonia and the Valencia region). Our discussion addresses two aspects. The first concerns the morpho-technological and functional relations of these pieces, as well as their diachronic transformation. Following this orientation, we present a summary of recent typological, technological and traceological studies. The second aspect concerns the relationship between microliths and their archaeological context with particular focus on economic data, as well as funerary conditions, which permit us to develop new lines of research and hypotheses.

To cite this article

Fernández López de Pablo J., Francisco Gibaja Bao J., Palomo A., 2009 – Geometric Weapon Elements during the Neolithic in the Eastern Iberian Peninsula: Typological, Technological and Functional Aspects, in Pétillon J.-M., Dias-Meirinho M.-H., Cattelain P., Honegger M., Normand C., Valdeyron N., Projectile Weapon Elements from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Neolithic, Proceedings of session C83, XVth UISPP World Congress, Lisbon, September 4-9, 2006, P@lethnology, 1, 328-340.
2009 # 1

2009-17–BOSC-ZANARDO-ET-ALII

Bushmen arrows and their recent history:

Crossed Outlooks of Historical,
Ethnological and Archaeological Sources

Bruno BOSC-ZANARDO,
François BON, François-Xavier FAUVELLE-AYMAR

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Abstract

Bushmen weapons were considered very early by ethnology: the vision of these nomadic hunter-gatherers walking away into the horizon of the Kalahari Desert, with their bows and arrows on their back, is one of the most iconic representations of this disappearing lifestyle.

Besides the technical values that were brought into play in the making of this equipment, their role as vector of social values has also been greatly illustrated. It has been shown, in particular, the way in which an arrow creates a link between the hunter and his prey, but also the interactions the arrow conveys between the user of the weapon and the social networks to which he belongs.

Nevertheless, most reference systems are based on the equipment of sub-contemporary and current populations, i.e. on those used by groups occupying a limited territory in the Kalahari Desert, straddling Botswana and Namibia. Yet, only a few decades ago, Bushmen occupied much vaster areas, corresponding to a large western half of Southern Africa, involving the exploitation of territories ecologically more contrasted than today. In addition, the socio-economic status of the ancestors of today’s Bushmen was, it seems, more diversified: groups of nomadic hunter-gatherers lived side by side with pastoralists (who also practiced hunting), and it is likely that both sides belonged, to a greater or lesser degree, to societies with close links between them.

Research works realised on several collections of bows and arrows kept in South African museums and compared with historical sources (travel accounts from the 16th to the 19th centuries in particular), also bring to light greater diversity: the diversity of the actual armoury (the spear, the club and the throwing stick in addition to the bows and arrows); diversity in the way the arrows are actually made; and the diversity of their supposed functions (from hunting to war). Behind such diversity, we can try to grasp the complexity of the recent history of the Bushmen populations.

To cite this article

Bosc-Zanardo B., Bon F., Fauvelle-Aymar F.-X., 2009 – Bushmen Arrows and their Recent History: Crossed Outlooks of Historical, Ethnological and Archaeological Sources, in Pétillon J.-M., Dias-Meirinho M.-H., Cattelain P., Honegger M., Normand C., Valdeyron N., Projectile Weapon Elements from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Neolithic, Proceedings of session C83, XVth UISPP World Congress, Lisbon, September 4-9, 2006, P@lethnology, 1, 341-360.