SMALL BLADE TECHNOLOGY IN THE EARLY UPPER PALEOLITHIC INDUSTRIES FROM DENISOVA CAVE: DATA FROM ANALYSIS OF A LITHIC REDUCTION SEQUENCE

The paper discusses the results from an analysis of five cores associated with Layer 11 in the Southern Chamber of Denisova Cave, intended to obtain small elongated blanks such as bladelets and small blades. Analysis of a lithic reduction sequence employed in the research has made it possible to clearly recognize the phases in producing flake scars on lithic artifacts through the preparation of core blanks, and in core reduction, as well as to determine stages at which some of these pieces were used as tools. The analysis provided insights into a general flaking pattern for the cores under study. Such artifacts were predominantly made on large massive flake blanks, had a plain striking platform, and the working edge showing traces of reduction associated with detaching the target flakes. These technological characteristics are fully consistent with the technological repertoire of a hominin group, based on cores from the same assemblage, intended to obtain larger target removals such as flakes and blades. A cross section of the flaking surface shows no evidence for a deliberately created and maintained convex relief, while typologically four of the five artifacts were defined as sub-prismatic. The analysis of a lithic reduction sequence shows that artifacts from the examined collection related to the production of blanks in the form of small flake-blades, without using new techniques and the controlled reduction of a flaking surface.

Newly discovered Upper Paleolithic sites from the Tsagaan Turuut river valley, Mongolia

In this article, we report artefacts found at the valley of Tsagaan Turuut River in the Khangai Mountain ranges in Central Mongolia. The artefacts were identified based upon core morphology, tool types and retouch. Regarding the core reduction techniques, single striking platform and single reduction platform cores are dominant. Although the tools on flake blanks predominant, tools such as points and knives with massive blades also occur. Side scraper, point, borer, combination tool, and borers are types that are less represented within the collection. This tool collection is highly similar to several IUP and EUP sites (Chikhen-2; Tolbor-4, 15 and 16) in Mongolia in terms of its reduction techniques and tool morphology. On a larger scale, it is similar to those of Early Upper Paleolithic sites in Trans-Baikal and Altai Mountains in Russia and North China.

The Descriptive Analysis of Palaeolithic Stone Tools from Sulawesi, Collected by the Indonesian-Dutch Expedition in 1970

Abstrak. Analisis Deskriptif Alat Batu Palaeolithik dari Sulawesi, Hasil Ekspedisi Indonesia-Belanda pada tahun 1970.Studi ini menganalisis artefak temuan ekspedisi Indonesia-Belanda di tahun 1970 di Marale di hulu dan Beru di hilir Sungai Wallanae; termasuk menguji hipotesis bahwa penghalusan material kasar di hilir terjadi pada artefak kecil. Batu gamping, kersikan, dan rijang merupakan bahan yang dominan. Artefak umumnya mengalami abrasi dan pembundaran dari tingkat moderat hingga kuat. Hampir semua artefak terpatinasi. Teknik ‘crushing’ merupakan tipe dominan dari persiapan bidang dorsal dekat dataran pukul. Dataran pukul umumnya datar dan ujung distal tipis. Himpunan serpih Marale yang umumnya lebih lebar dan panjang dibandingkan himpunan serpih Beru mendukung hipotesis tersebut. Kebanyakan alat serpih merupakan serut samping. Sebagai tambahan, berdasarkan klasifikasi morfologi yang baru diperkenalkan, umumnya batu inti (70%) memiliki platform tunggal, berbentuk pyramidal atau polihedral, walaupun ada yang double platform. Perkiraan pertanggalan van Heekeren dari 200 dan 100 ka agaknya tepat, sebagaimana publikasi van den Bergh yang mempertanggal artefak in situ dari ekskavasi di daerah yang sama di antara 194 dan 118 ka.Abstract.This study analysis lithic artefacts collected by the Indonesian-Dutch expedition to Sulawesi in 1970. In addition, the hypothesis was tested that downstream fining of coarse material results in smaller artefacts. The artefacts were collected by surveying in Marale (upstream) and Beru (downstream) along the Walanae River. Most artefacts were abraded and rounded. Almost all artefacts were patinated. Silificied limestone and chert were the predominant raw materials for making stone tools. Crushing was the predominant type of dorsal face preparation near the striking platform. The dominant platform type was plain and the dominant distal end feather. The width and the maximal length of the flakes of Marale were significantly larger than those of Beru, confirming the above hypothesis. Most flake tools were side scrapers. In addition to the functional standard classification also a new morphological classification was introduced. Most cores (70%) were single platformed, pyramidal or polyhedral, but also double platformed cores were present. Dating of the stone tools between 200 and 100 ka as earlier suggested by van Heekeren might be plausible based on a recently published study by van den Bergh (2016) who dated in situ artefacts excavated in the same region between 194 and 118 ka.

Interview with a Neanderthal: an Experimental Approach for Reconstructing Scraper Production Rules, and their Implications for Imposed Form in Middle Palaeolithic Tools

This article investigates the degree and nature of ‘imposed form’ in Middle Palaeolithic scrapers, the most common category of stone tool produced by Neanderthals. Novice flintknappers unfamiliar with Middle Palaeolithic tool forms were found to consistently employ two rules in manufacturing scrapers: the striking platform and any adjacent blunt edges were left intact to facilitate prehension, and the longest edge with the most acute spine-plane angle was retouched. Scrapers from three major Middle Palaeolithic sites adhered to these rules in over 90 per cent of cases, but significant divergence from these rules was found in a sample from Skhul cave (Israel) level B1, associated with early anatomically modern Homo sapiens. It is concluded that Middle Palaeolithic scraper manufacture was structured by the need to create a suitable working edge, and to locate that edge to maximize ease and comfort during manufacture and use. The overall shape of the resulting tools was thus not an expression of ‘imposed form’ in the conventional sense. The discovery of violations of these rules in the Skhul B1 collection provides evidence of increased use of imposed form, as well as potentially significant behavioural differences between early anatomically modern Homo sapiens and contemporary Neanderthals.

Propuesta de clasificación técnica de los sistemas de explotación de las BN1G de producción (núcleos)

Se propone una clasificación de los sistemas de explotación de las BN1G de producción a partir de las relaciones entre los distintos atributos que caracterizan a los núcleos. Esta clasificación se estructura en tres niveles. El primero discrimina los sistemas de explotación según su número de superficies de talla. En el segundo nivel, la característica jerarquizadora es la relación geométrica entre superficie /plataforma o entre superficies de talla. El tercer y último nivel atiende a la dirección en la que se explotan estas superficies. This work consists in a classification of the production BN1G (cores) exploitation systems, based on tlie reiatlonsfíip between ttie different cíiaracteristic core forms features. Tfiere are tfiree levéis of classification.The first one discrimínate between exploitation systems by tlieir number of debitage surfaces. On the second level the hierarchical feature is the geomethcai relationship between the debitage surface and striking platform or between debitage surfaces. Third level is the direction on exploitation of surfaces.

The Date of the Plano-Convex Flint-Knife in England and Wales

The type here discussed is a common feature of most collections of surface flints from this country, but little serious study has been devoted to it ; and though it has frequently been found in datable associations, no one seems to have attached it to any particular culture. Collectors in East Anglia have long called specimens of the type ‘slugs ’, a term unfortunately employed in other areas, for instance Sussex, to describe flint fabricators. In view of this confusion the author suggests the use of the term ‘plano-convex-knife ’ which accurately describes the section of the implement. The type is characterized by pressure or scale flaking on the slightly convex upper face, the under surface retaining the flake surface, usually with the bulb and sometimes with the striking platform intact. As a general rule the flake from which the knife is made shows a distinct curve in its longitudinal axis. As a result of the fine pressure technique employed, the convex surface of the implement commonly gives a glossy or soapy feel to the touch. In the finer and more typical specimens the whole of this upper surface shows the characteristic secondary flaking, though in some cases the central area of the flake is allowed to retain its primary character. In plan the commonest form is elongated oval of varying width (nos. 1 and 2), which is in a few examples (e.g. one from Bishop's Burton, barr. CCLV) serrated round the entire edge save for the buttend. The point is normally obtuse, if not rounded, and in a few cases (no. 3) is trimmed to a scraping edge. Finally we have to note rather a distinct variety with a straight chisel-like extremity (no. 4) from which flakes have been removed in the main line of the implement. This particular specimen has lateral notches as though for hafting.

An Implement from Higham, Suffolk

In 1900 an implement was found on the surface at Broom Covert, Higham, Suffolk, which has generously been presented to the Sedgwick Museum, Cambridge, by F. H. Barclay, Esq., M.A., F.G.S., the Warren, Cromer.It is of considerable interest, and I propose briefly to describe it. It is slightly lustrous, milk-white with some light indigo-coloured mottlings, quite unworn, and presumably a true surface-find not derived from a deposit.The specimen, which is 4½-in. long and 1½-in. across at the widest part is a well-formed lateral burin (Fig. 1). The working edge has been renewed, probably more than once. At the final renewal, after striking the burin-blow, the face then produced was modified by the removal of some small flakes at the anterior end (Fig. 1 c). The striking platform was reduced by subsequent trimming, giving the butt-end a neat semi-oval outline.

Some Details of Flint Fracture

It is my purpose in this paper to tabulate and describe some of the details of flint fracture, which, in my opinion, are very necessary for the prehistorian to understand and recognise, and a knowledge of which makes the study of flint implements much easier and more entertaining. The correctness of some of my explanations of these various details may be challenged, but the majority of them are, I think, in accord with the views of most investigators and will be generally accepted.A part of the ground which will be traversed in this paper has already been gone over, but I am anxious to put all the facts at present ascertained regarding the fracture of flint into a compact form which can easily be referred to and may be of use to serious prehistorians. I hope that this will be considered sufficient excuse for recapitulating some of the facts which have already been brought forward.Striking Platforms. When an ordinary rounded nodule of flint is selected with a view to produce an implement from it by flaking, it is necessary, owing to the difficulty of removing flakes from a rounded or irregular surface, to break off a portion of the nodule so that a flat surface is produced from which flakes can be struck with precision. The flakes which are removed will exhibit, just above the point where the blows fell which detached them (known as “the point of impact”), a portion of this flat surface, and this is termed the “striking platform.”