The manufacture of Aurignacian split-based points: an experimental challenge

Abstract

Hunting is one of the areas of human activity that sees the most significant changes in the period from 40 000e35 000 BP in Europe. In this respect, the Aurignacian technocomplex shows technical innovations, notably with the fabrication of split-based points (SBP) in antler and the mass production of bladelets, arguably to serve as weapon armatures. Yet, little experiment work has been dedicated to this question. To begin to fill this gap, we have designed an experimental program devoted to testing and assessing the design, manufacture and use of Aurignacian weaponry. In this paper, we present the very first stage of this project, focused on the fabrication of SBP's and particularly the question of the creation of the basal splits, an issue much-debated since the 1920's. From our replicative experiments and comparisons with the rich collections from Abris Castanet and Blanchard, we conclude that the incision, flexion and cleavage procedure (IFC) applied to SBP's combines the techniques proposed by previous authors. The use of the IFC procedure has been identified in at least 23 sites in SW Europe. Importantly, because this procedure is rigidly conditioned by the physical and mechanical properties of antler, it is unlikely that another technical solution was possible to create the basal splits.

The Middle-to-Upper Paleolithic transition occupations from Cova Foradada (Calafell, NE Iberia)

“…Related to this, a point of interest is the attribution of Cova Foradada layer IIIc to the Early Aurignacian, especially considering the current uncertainty of the radiocarbon dates. This attribution is mostly based on the interpretation of the antler point fragments as SBPs [87–89,91,152–153]. As stated before, the main arguments for these fragments being interpreted as SBPs are related to morphometric and technological attributes deriving from the analysis, namely the work on the point surface, cross-section, and maintenance and hafting system.…”

Subsistence strategy changes during the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition reveals specific adaptations of Human Populations to their environment

“…As it has been demonstrated with the economy of mammal hard tissues 16 , taxa were incorporated at different levels in the economic life of human societies. Species remains were not used for the same purposes: Mammoth ivory was shaped as figurine or flutes 7 such as bird bones; mammoth and carnivore teeth were used for personal ornaments 10,38 ; ungulate bones for bone industry and use for domestic work and only deer antlers were transformed for weaponry 52 . Some taxa were only used for symbolic means and specific skills were developed to transform this large diversity of materials 53 .…”

Technologies for the Control of Heat and Light in the Vézère Valley Aurignacian

“…6), and none are burned. Split-based antler points and the tongued pieces related to their production (Tartar and White 2013) are concentrated to the south of these features. Smoothers (lissoirs) are concentrated at the northeastern margins.…”