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Production and Transport of Blanks and Tools at the French Middle Paleolithic Site of Combe-Capelle Bas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Barbara J. Roth  and
Harold L. Dibble
Barbara J. Roth
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331
Harold L. Dibble
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Abstract

Recent studies of Middle Paleolithic lithic assemblages have focused on questions of interest to lithic analysts everywhere, including the effect of raw material availability, occupation span, and tool maintenance on assemblage characteristics. In this paper, we add to the growing database on Middle Paleolithic assemblages using material recently excavated at Combe-Capelle Bas in the Dordogne region of southern France. The site provides a unique opportunity for addressing questions concerning lithic assemblage variability because it is located on a high quality flint source. We present data on core reduction, blank selection, raw material procurement, and lithic transport that provide information on lithic use pertinent for both Old World and New World archaeologists. Our data show that raw material availability and group mobility influenced blank selection, production, and transport at Combe-Capelle.

Résumé

Résumé

El enfoque de las investigaciones recientes de los conjuntos líticos del paleolítico medio ha sido sobre temas de interés para los analistas líticos de todo el mundo. Estos temas incluyen los efectos de la disponibilidad, la procuración, y la distribución de la materia prima; la envergadura de ocupación, y el mantenimiento de las herramientas. Este articulo aporta datos sobre los conjuntos del paleolítico medio usando material excavado recientemente en Combe-Capelle Bas en la región del sur de Francia. Este sitio proporciona una oportunidad única para responder a preguntas concernientes a la gran variación de conjuntos líticos, porque este sitio se localiza en unafuente de pedernal de calidad. Presentamos datos que proporcionan información sobre el uso de lítica tanto para los arquéologos del nuevo mundo como para los del viejo mundo. Nuestros descubrimientos comprueban que la disponsibilidad de la materia prima y la movilidad del grupo influyeron en la selectión, la producción, y la distribución de lítica en Combe-Capelle.

Type
Articles
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 63 , Issue 1 , January 1998 , pp. 47 - 62
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1998

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