The article presents an original analysis which combines use-wear, 3D modelling and spatial analyses to experimental archaeology in order to investigate Early Upper Palaeolithic flint-knapping gestures and techniques involving the use of macro-lithic tools. In particular, the methodological framework proposed in this paper was applied to the study of Protoaurignacian and Aurignacian macro-tools from Fumane Cave (Verona, Italy). Combining spatial analysis and use wear investigation, both at low and high magnifications, permitted the identification and detailed description of the use-related traces affecting both the hammerstones and retouchers which, at Fumane Cave, were used at different stages during flint tool production. Several experimental activities were performed including core reduction, maintenance, and blank production together with different types of edge retouching. From a methodological perspective, the protocol of analysis permitted to codify specific traces and to produce quantitative data related to their geometry and distribution over the tool’s surface, according to the activities and gestures performed. The results obtained allowed a careful investigation of the function and the gestures associated to the use of the macro-lithic tools coming from the Protoaurignacian and Aurignacian levels of Fumane Cave while providing a methodological tool for interpreting different archaeological samples.

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This paper presents a preliminary assessment of the prehistoric and protohistoric periods investigated by the Udine University in collaboration with the Sapienza University of Rome and the Duhok Directorate of Antiquities in the region of Northern Kurdistan (Iraq). The investigated area features different geographical units, such as mountains, piedmont areas, intermontane basins and valleys, and the alluvial plains of the Tigris River and its tributaries, each of which has different types of vegetation, soils and natural resources. Despite this very rich and variegated landscape, the region has been thus far little explored: except for an initial phase of groundbreaking research in the mid-twentieth century, archaeological projects have been limited to spatially circumscribed surveys and rescue excavations. Attention has been given to the historical periods, while the most ancient phases of human occupation of the area have been little investigated. In this paper, we aim to fill this gap with a preliminary summary of seven years of archaeological survey (2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016)(2017)(2018) that allows us to outline the principal chrono-cultural aspects and settlement strategies that characterised this region from the Lower Palaeolithic to the Ninevite 5 period. Résumé. Cet article présente une synthèse des recherches sur les périodes préhistorique et protohistorique effectuées par l'université d'Udine en collaboration avec l'université Sapienza de Rome et la direction des Antiquités de Duhok dans la région du Kurdistan septentrional (Iraq). La zone étudiée comprend différentes unités géographiques, telles que des montagnes, des zones de piémont, des bassins, des vallées intercalées entre les reliefs montagneux et les plaines alluviales du Tigre et de ses affluents -chacune présentantdifférents types de végétation, de sols et de ressources naturelles. En dépit de ce paysage très riche et varié, la région a jusqu'à présent été peu explorée : à l'exception d'une phase initiale de recherche au milieu du XX e siècle, seuls des prospections assez limitées et des fouilles de sauvetage ont été effectuées. De plus, ces recherches ont concerné surtout les périodes historiques, alors que les phases les plus anciennes de l'occupation humaine de la région ont été peu explorées. Dans cet article, nous comblons cette lacune en présentant le bilan synthétique des connaissances issues des programmes de prospections géo-archéologiques effectuées entre 2012 et 2018 qui nous ont permis de retracer les principaux aspects chronoculturels et les stratégies de peuplement ayant caractérisé cette région du Paléolithique inférieur à la période Ninevite 5.

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