A new approach to interpreting late Pleistocene microlith industries in southwest Asia

Abstract

Archaeologists have long assumed that morphological variability in microliths primarily reflects cultural differences among the makers. This forms the basis for differentiating major cultural/temporal traditions in the late Epipalaeolithic of southwest Asia. An alternative explanation for morphological variability is proposed which emphasizes the dynamic aspects of lithic technology in hunter-gatherer societies and questions current explanations of culture change.

Experimental evaluation of Kuhn's geometric index of reduction and the flat-flake problem

“…Explorations of assemblage variation on all continents have shown the value of characterising differences in the level and kind of retouching to which flakes have been subjected (e.g. [1], [2], [3], [6], [7], [8], [9], [11], [12], [13], [14], [16], [17], [18], [20] and [23]). Consequently we argue that our capacity to explain assemblage differences is enhanced by analyses aiming to quantify the extent, nature and variability of reduction.…”

An Index of Invasiveness for the Measurement of Unifacial and Bifacial Retouch: A Theoretical, Experimental and Archaeological Verification

“…This is because assessments of relative curation are useful in testing models of changing mobility, land-use, economy, and technological organization, as well as in defining the relationships between tool design, labour investment and morphological standardization (for discussion of the value of the curation, tool design and use life concepts in addressing these questions see Ammerman & Feldman, 1974;Bamforth, 1986;Binford, 1979;Bleed, 1986;Close, 1991;Davis & Shea, 1998;Dibble, 1984Dibble, , 1995aDibble, , 1995bGordon, 1993;Hayden, Franco & Spafford, 1996;Hiscock, 1994Hiscock, , 1996Hiscock, , 1998Kelly, 1988;Kelly & Todd, 1988;Parry & Kelly, 1987;Holdaway, McPherron & Roth, 1996;Kuhn, 1990Kuhn, , 1992Kuhn, , 1995Nash, 1996;Neeley & Barton, 1994;Nelson, 1991;Odell, 1996;Shott, 1989Shott, , 1996Roland & Dibble, 1990;Torrence, 1983Torrence, , 1989.…”

The materiality of dung: the manipulation of dung in Neolithic Mediterranean caves

“…The differently shaped microliths are generally thought to represent stylistic variation and have therefore been used to identify ethnic groups or cultures in the 'culture circles' sense (e.g., Henry 1989). Neeley and Barton (1994) have suggested, however, that they might actually represent different stages in reduction sequences. Starting with Henry (1981) and Wright (1978), the Natufians have frequently been considered complex hunter-gatherer chiefdoms with high levels of social complexity (Bar-Yosef 2002).…”